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DLA Piper.
Main Office: 160 Aldersgate Street | London | London | EC1A 4HT
Year of establishment
2005
Number of partners
1955
Number of offices
95
Partner to associate ratio
0.80
Biggest office
London
Percentage of women attorneys
38.20
Number of attorneys
5647
Percentage of minority attorneys
6.40
Number of associates
2391
Percentage of LGBT attorneys
1.00
DLA Piper. Reviews
view allReviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
The firm should encourage, rather than discourage associates. The partners should work on better associate retention rates ... the firm has a hard time retaining associates...and it's not difficult to tell why. Some associates are ridiculously harsh and so are some of the partners. If people just made work life a bit easier, it would be a much better place.
Pros:
The firm is fairly large and you get to, in theory, be a part of a global brand. The firm has offices everywhere. However, it is almost certain you will not be able to work from other offices throughout the globe due to your work. You will get to interact via email (on a few transactions during your tenure) with colleagues from around the world (depending on the nature of the transaction you are on). You will not actually be able to go and visit different offices because of your insane work obligations. An additional benefit is that the firm has good prestige. But your experience will generally not be so great. Most of the partners are difficult to work with. Most of the partners do not care about associate growth. At the end of the day it's like the feudal system. You work to make the partners money. They tell you you're getting paid a lot and guilt you into working harder and harder. For each associate, they receive millions in fees. You get a tiny percentage of what you bring in.
Cons:
The compensation is terrible. The partners are cheap. The partners try to nickel and dime associates. There is no reward for working hard. The work might be complex at times and both challenging and interesting. However, you will almost always come to a point where you think about whether this is worth it. At the end of the day, while you make better money than others in the economy, you REALLY do work around the clock. If others worked as many hours as you did (for example, let's say someone who is doing a regular 9-5 job getting paid $30 an hour), they'd make just as much money as you do or come pretty close to it without the added expense of law school. They work you like crazy (sometimes you end up billing more than 100 hours in a week -- think how much actual time something like that would require -- 120? 140? 160? ... just leave it up to your imagination). This kind of job is good for one to come in, work hard while they are young, and save up ... then just leave ... for most people, this lifestyle will not be worth it.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Current Employee
Job type:
Full time
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Reviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
DLA PIper is on the right track to become the no 1 global business firm. Management is professional and takes care of all employees' needs, the technological innovation is always explored and spear-headed, e.g. with using of AI platform Kira.
Pros:
Interesting work with manageable working times in an international environment, well paid.
Very collegial and team oriented firm with a good approach, technologically very advanced.
Cons:
No canteen service, relatively strict equity assessments. Nothing in the category of worst experiences. The size of the firm however indicates that not everybody can adjust quickly to such international environment.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Current Employee
Job type:
Full time
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Overview
Experience the Thrill of Working at DLA Piper: A Global Law Firm with Limitless Opportunities DLA Piper is not your ordinary law firm. With a presence in over 40 countries across the globe, this powerhouse legal institution offers attorneys and staff an exhilarating and diverse work environment. Whether you are a seasoned lawyer or a fresh graduate, joining DLA Piper opens the door to a world of exciting opportunities and unparalleled professional growth. As a global law firm, DLA Piper is committed to providing top-notch legal services to clients worldwide. With lawyers strategically located in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, the firm is uniquely positioned to assist clients with their legal needs, no matter where they are. This global reach allows attorneys and staff to work on complex and high-profile cases that transcend borders, making every day at DLA Piper an adventure. DLA Piper's mission is clear: to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality and value to clients. This commitment is reflected in the firm's approach to legal solutions. DLA Piper prides itself on providing practical and innovative strategies that help clients succeed in their business endeavors. By combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of the industries they serve, the firm consistently delivers exceptional results. One of the key strengths of DLA Piper is its platform of practices and sectors. The firm covers a wide range of legal areas, including corporate law, finance, litigation, intellectual property, real estate, and more. This comprehensive approach allows attorneys and staff to gain exposure to various legal disciplines, fostering a well-rounded skill set that is highly sought after in the legal industry. Whether you are interested in mergers and acquisitions, international arbitration, or technology law, DLA Piper has a practice area that suits your passion. DLA Piper's commitment to diversity and inclusion is another aspect that sets it apart from other law firms. The firm recognizes that a diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. By fostering an inclusive environment, DLA Piper ensures that every individual's voice is heard and valued. Attorneys and staff have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures, broadening their horizons and enhancing their professional development. Joining DLA Piper comes with a plethora of benefits that go beyond just a competitive salary. The firm offers extensive training and development programs designed to help attorneys and staff reach their full potential. From mentorship programs to specialized workshops, DLA Piper invests in the growth and success of its employees. The firm also provides ample opportunities for networking, both internally and externally, allowing individuals to build valuable connections within the legal community. DLA Piper understands the importance of work-life balance and offers flexible work arrangements to accommodate the needs of its employees. This flexibility allows attorneys and staff to manage their personal and professional commitments effectively, ensuring a harmonious and fulfilling lifestyle. Additionally, the firm promotes a culture of wellness, providing resources and initiatives to support the physical and mental well-being of its workforce. The perks of working at DLA Piper extend beyond the office walls. The firm is known for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, actively engaging in pro bono work and community service. Attorneys and staff have the opportunity to make a positive impact on society by dedicating their time and expertise to meaningful causes. This sense of purpose and fulfillment adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the work done at DLA Piper. In conclusion, DLA Piper offers attorneys and staff an exhilarating and rewarding career experience. With its global reach, commitment to quality, and diverse practice areas, the firm provides endless opportunities for professional growth and development. Joining DLA Piper means becoming part of a dynamic and inclusive community, where innovation and collaboration thrive. So, if you are ready to embark on an exciting legal journey, DLA Piper is the place to be.
Practice Areas
DLA Piper. practices law in the following areas and works with its clients to provide the best possible legal solutions.
- Asset Based Lending
- Asset Finance
- Debt Capital Markets
- Debt Finance
- Derivatives
- Financial Services Regulatory
- Real Estate Finance
- Structured Finance And Securitisation
- Trade And Commodity Finance
- Administrative Law
- Antitrust And Competition
- Aviation Disputes
- Banking And Finance Litigation
- China Investment Services
- Construction And Engineering
- Corporate And Securities Litigation
- Cross Border Litigation
- Defence
- Emerging Growth And Venture Capital
- Employee And Labor Relations
- Employment Litigation And Dispute Resolution
- Environment Health And Safety
- Eu Law And Policy
- Finance
- Franchise And Commercial Contracts
- Fund Formation And Investment Funds
- Global Alignment And Integration
- Global Employment Law Compliance
- Global Equity Compensation
- Global Governance And Compliance
- Infrastructure And Construction Disputes
- Infrastructure Finance
- Insurance And Reinsurance Disputes
- International Arbitration
- International Tax Counsel
- International Trade
- Investigations
- It And Telecoms Disputes
- Media Sport Gaming And Entertainment
- Mergers And Acquisitions
- Nuclear
- Oil And Gas
- Patent Litigation
- Patent Prosecution And Strategic Patent Counseling
- Pensions And Reward
- Power And Transmission
- Private Equity
- Product Liability Mass Torts And Product Stewardship
- Protecting Business Assets
- Public Company And Corporate Governance
- Public Private Partnerships And Pfi
- Real Estate Asset Management
- Real Estate Development And Planning
- Real Estate Funds And Private Equity
- Real Estate Investment
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
- Real Estate Litigation
- Renewables
- Social Infrastructure
- Tax Controversy And Disputes
- Technology Transactions And Strategic Sourcing
- Trademark And Copyright
- Transactional Tax Planning
- Transfer Pricing
- Transport
- Us Law And Policy
- Vat And Customs Duties
- Water And Waste
- White Collar And Corporate Crime
- Workforce Restructuring And Outsourcing
- Capital Markets
- Corporate
- Data Protection Privacy And Security
- Diversity Discrimination And Equal Pay
- Employment
- Intellectual Property And Technology
- International Trade Regulatory And Government Affairs
- Litigation Arbitration And Investigations
- Projects Energy And Infrastructure
- Real Estate
- Restructuring
- Tax
Hiring Criteria
DLA Piper. follows the set of hiring criteria outlined below.
As the firm continues to grow within the US and across the world, DLA Piper has an extremely stringent hiring process. In general, it recruits only from the top one-third of the graduating class from select law schools. In addition to academic performance at both graduate and undergraduate levels, the firm considers pervious work experience and a demonstrated passion for the law.
Here are some of the skills that the firm looks for in prospective hires:
Analytical ability and innovative problem solving
Motivation to succeed
Ability and willingness to take up challenges
Demonstrated ability to work in teams of various compositions and sizes
Excellent organizational skills
Strong commercial sense
Pro bono
As a global business law firm, DLA Piper strongly believes in giving back to the community and considers the provision of free legal services as an important part of both its past and its future. Hence, every attorney at the firm is encouraged to spend a considerable amount of time doing pro bono work. In fact, in 2011, the firm's attorneys spent more than 170,000 hours in bringing pro bono initiatives to fruition.
Known as the largest global provider of pro bono legal services, DLA Piper is a thought leader in the creation and delivery of pro bono services for a large number of low-income individuals, community groups, charities, and social entrepreneurs who would otherwise not have access to legal services.
The firm's global pro bono practice also acts for some of the world's leading global charities, academic institutions, aid agencies, UN agencies, NGOs, and governments in order to improve education, economic empowerment, and equality.
Notable cases
- Redevelopment of the World Trade Center: The firm represents the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in all aspects of this redevelopment in Lower Manhattan.
- Redevelopment of Intercity and Commuter Railway System of Istanbul: The firm represents the Ministry of Transportation of Turkey in an ICC arbitration worth
DLA Piper. Awards and Recognitions Write a review
Top Labor & Employment Lawyer (Daily Journal list of 75 "Top Labor & Employment Lawyers in California" 2012)
National Law Journal/Legal Times "Champion" (Fifth Annual Legal Times "Champions & Visionaries" Awards 2012)
Second Rank, World's Leading Law Firms (Law360 "Global 20," 2012)
Leaders in Business Law (Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2012)
Philadelphia Litigation Practice recognized as "Litigation Departments of the Year" (The Legal Intelligencer 2012)
The World's Leading IP Strategists (Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Strategy 300, 2012)
First Rank by Lawyer Head Count and Third Rank by Revenue (The American Lawyer's list of "Biggest 25 Litigation Departments," 2012)
2012 International Franchise Law Firm of the Year (Who's Who Legal)
2012 International Real Estate Law Firm of the Year (Who's Who Legal)
Turkish Law Firm of the Year (Chambers Europe Awards for Excellence 2012)
Diversity Write a review
As a leading law firm, DLA Piper promotes an all-inclusive culture, where everyone, irrespective of background, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation, has equal opportunity to grow their career. The firm believes that fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion helps it to attract the best talent from across the continents and build the most effective teams that enable the firm to deliver the highest level of service to its clients. These values are apparent in every aspect of the firm and the way it conducts business with its clients.
DLA Piper's management board is responsible for developing the firm's strategy for diversity and implementing it across the firm's global offices, thereby ensuring that the firm's diversity objectives are successfully met. In fact, the firm has very active diversity committees across its offices that create an empowering environment for all its employees through innovative programs such as the Global Women's Leadership Summit.
Summer associate program
DLA Piper's eight-week summer programs focus on offering substantial real-time pragmatic legal experience and helping law students make an impact in a wide range of practice areas. The summer associates are rotated through several practice groups and encouraged to work on areas of specific interest. Some of the popular summer associate programs at the firm include the following:
Two-week program in overseas offices
Two-week public interest fellowship in New York
In-house internship at a major consulting firm
A survey of the summer associates at DLA Piper revealed that the supervising attorneys constantly provided constructive feedback to the associates at every opportunity, thereby helping the summer associates steepen their learning curve and excel at their assignments.
The supervising attorneys also conduct weekly training sessions including a writing seminar for the summer associates. Further, DLA Piper organizes a range of social events, including golf and cooking lessons, every year in order to help summer associates get to know the firm and its people better.
Working for the DLA Piper.
Working at DLA Piper is one of the most exciting opportunities that one can come across while practicing law in the twenty-first century. Being the largest firm worldwide in terms of the number of attorneys, DLA Piper boasts of an unrivalled variety of work globally across a wide variety of industries and sectors. It does not believe in shortcuts and encourages its employees to work hard for their success.Having its roots in entrepreneurial regional firms, each with its unique style and exceptional history of client success, DLA Piper truly admires enterprise and imagination in its employees and rewards them accordingly. With its diverse set of legal professionals who are abound with energy, committed to working in a collaborative environment and helping their clients succeed, and extremely intelligent and ambitious, DLA Piper is a firm where you will have the opportunity to work with kindred spirits and exceptional mentors who will lead you toward an extraordinary legal career.
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References
http://www.dlapiper.com/
http://www.lawfirmstats.com/
http://www.nalpdirectory.com/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.vault.com/
http://careers.abovethelaw.com/
