Why did you choose to work at DLA Piper?

I was fortunate to have been introduced to working DLA Piper through an internship placement supported through my university. The placement provided an opportunity to meet people working at the firm and I started to build an understanding of what type of work I could be involved in at an international commercial law firm. I chose to work at DLA Piper because of the like-minded people I get to work with and who I have built a relationship with throughout being a clerk, paralegal, graduate and now as a solicitor at the firm. I also chose to work at DLA Piper because of the dynamic and challenging work that we get to do. Every day is different. As a university student, I could never quite pinpoint what a commercial lawyer might actually do on a daily basis and as a junior solicitor, I’m still trying to figure it out!

Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experiences at DLA Piper?

A highlight of my experience at DLA Piper is the relationships I have built with my Class of 2023 graduates. Some of us have been working together since we were clerks back in 2021. There aren’t many days that we don’t eat lunch together, get morning coffees from the barista bar or play a game of table tennis! It’s been amazing to see our cohort grow, and to now see new graduate cohorts come through. It’s been such a privilege to see how far we’ve come in our legal careers so far. 

Do you have any advice for students aspiring to pursue a career in law?

The traditional entry pathway into a career at any big law firm is unique to any other profession. My advice for students aspiring to pursue a career in law is to find a good group of law school or university friends who are also going through the same process – people that you trust and can openly talk to, and that you don’t feel like you’re competing with. Having this small group of people, other than friends and family who may be outside of law, as a support system is so important during university. My law school friendship group helped me immensely throughout the clerkship recruitment process and continue to be my support network now as a lawyer.