It begins here

The best aspect about working for DLA Piper is the team energy we enjoy. From the most senior partner to the RICOH temp, there is a feeling of team effort and a desire to forward the business of the firm efficiently, with professionalism, dispatch and courtesy. We work hard, appreciate each other's efforts and enjoy doing so."

The reason for my transition to DLA Piper is that I want to be part of a firm that has local experience on the ground, a truly global platform and outstanding financial performance, but that still behaves like an upstart, entrepreneurial firm. It's clear that the firm is not just satisfied with past performance and is always looking for ways to better serve clients and improve."

From the first day of my summer program, I was treated like a member of the team and given projects similar to those I would work on as a first-year associate. That insight into life as a junior associate made me extremely confident accepting the firm's offer to return after law school and also jump-started my career by putting me ahead on the learning curve. As a partner now, I try to pay that experience forward by staffing our summer associates on real deals and providing them with substantive junior associate experiences."

The summer associate program provided me with a great opportunity to get a jump start on building relationships with associates and partners whom I would likely work with as a junior associate. Having those relationships made the transition from summer associate to first-year associate much smoother."

Being a junior associate doesn't, and shouldn't, limit you to doing just unsexy work – take ownership of your projects and extend yourself. It also doesn't, and shouldn't, limit you to all work and no play – maintain the fun and balance in your life."

My DLA Piper summer associate experience provided me with valuable insight into the culture of the firm. Most importantly, though, I forged meaningful relationships with the staff, associates and partners, which enabled me to accelerate my integration into the firm when I started as an associate."

I love the firm's commitment to pro bono projects. So many people and community organizations need, but cannot afford, legal services. I think it is awesome how DLA Piper has been a leader in the community and has made a difference in the lives of so many people - helping veterans apply for combat-related special compensation, assisting applicants seeking asylum, preparing federal clemency petitions for non-violent inmates, and holding weekly reading programs for 4th to 7th grade students. This is a small fraction of the great work that the firm does on a daily basis!"

One of the main reasons I find working at DLA Piper so fantastic is the firm's organization. Departments are clearly demarcated and easily accessible. The main tasks within each position are properly outlined as well as adhered to, thankfully not stiflingly so. The programs I typically use, as well as those more broadly available, are technologically satisfactory to properly complete one's duties. I truly feel that anything I need to do my work is available to me. And of course, the people are wonderful!"