It begins here

I like being surrounded by smart people. That starts with our director, who always seems to be two steps ahead of her peers at other firms. It then extends through everyone on the team who can be counted on to come with questions from every conceivable angle, push themselves to find the best solutions, and search for ways to improve processes and enhance efficiency.

I have had a hand in hiring some exceptional team members who have contributed to the success of the firm.

Since DLA Piper is a truly global firm with so many practices and services, I think one of the best aspects about working on my team is the daily interaction with such a diverse group of people from so many backgrounds. Because our department comes into contact with so many practice groups and departments, I am constantly meeting new people and getting involved in new projects. Every day is unexpected because I can dive into new assignments all the time. It helps that I love learning new things and helping other people, so that makes my job enjoyable.

My greatest achievement in the last couple of years is my professional development. I am constantly striving to learn more, and my department provides many opportunities to learn about new research services and techniques. It also helps that, because we are working as such a close team, we are able to share our knowledge with each other. I like to share anything new that I learn with my colleagues, and I am always learning from them too.

Innovation is the first word that comes to mind when I think of my team. Due to the impact of technology in our field, we have transitioned from being what most think of as a traditional library to a national Research and Knowledge Services department, with re-designed workflows, extensive electronic resources and new methods of serving the firm. This innovation has taken a great deal of time and effort, and I am proud to be part of the team that has brought something dynamic and significant to the table.

I am proud of my department's work in transitioning from print to digital resources. We have worked to secure a seven-figure reduction in print costs while expanding our collection of electronic resources that offer the attorneys powerful new tools. This process has involved extensive planning, training and effort. In the end, we have built something newer, more efficient and cost-effective.

The best aspect about working with the Accounting department is engaging with intelligent, highly motivated individuals on a daily basis. Our team is dedicated to providing quality work products to leadership to ensure that it has the necessary data to draw conclusions and make decisions about the future of the firm. Our management is committed to mentoring and providing the necessary guidance to further advance the team.

My most recent achievement is the ability to prioritize and find the right balance between parenthood and profession. As a working wife and mother to two boys under the age of three, I am constantly juggling the demands and challenges of home and work. I continue to find success each and every day while always remaining focused on my long-term career goals and aspirations.

I have had the opportunity to learn from the best. One of the best aspects of being on the accounting team is the overall learning experience we get by taking on new challenges. I also feel the department works well together in order to succeed and promote itself within the firm.

One of my greatest achievements over the past couple of years is the preparation of the January Partner distribution, the largest transaction of the year. I have complete ownership of this project and feel it is a huge accomplishment.

The best aspect about working on my team is that everyone is willing to pitch in to help. I have never worked in any other place where all of my co-workers have been so willing to go the extra mile for each other. That is what makes the DLA Piper team so special.

The greatest achievement I have accomplished since I started working here is receiving "job well done" praise from a former Senator. That was definitely the highlight of my week!

Though our team is cross-border, we communicate regularly. We share best practices and collaborate on new business opportunities. The culture of our team is one of encouragement, support and a healthy drive to succeed.

Every win feels as good as the one before. The best is yet to come!

The client development team is highly collaborative. Different team members contribute different perspectives, and the synergy between team members can produce creative and exciting results. Being able to work across geographies and practice groups to drive revenue for the firm is both challenging and rewarding. I am also given a lot of autonomy to create new initiatives for business development.

I am directly accountable to the Tax practice group leaders and responsible for helping to implement the business development and client acquisition aspects of their plan. DLA Piper has given me the opportunity to be an integral part of this process. I work to raise the profile of tax services as a business solution. I have enjoyed the challenges of growing our client base, by managing and by originating opportunities. In addition, I am given ample scope to develop professionally, by mentoring others on our team and working directly with strategic clients.

The Litigation Support department is a diverse team of skilled individuals with a variety of backgrounds and decades of experience in e-discovery technology and workflows. We work together to provide accurate and timely assistance to the case teams. I am proud to be a member of this team. The leadership of this department encourages personal and professional growth by providing access to training/certification programs and working with each member of the team to make sure he/she has the necessary resources to succeed.

My supervisor and manager supported my goal to become an expert in Litigation Support's most essential application, Relativity. In order to be officially recognized as an expert by kCura, the developer of Relativity, I needed to pass three different certification exams. I accomplished this goal. With the knowledge I obtained while preparing for the exams, I am better prepared to assist my teammates and case teams.

The Litigation Support department at DLA Piper consists of project managers and analysts from a variety of backgrounds and diverse experiences. We encounter challenging projects and technical issues, and in those times, it is great to be part of a team with so much knowledge and experience. 

Through consistency, training, collaboration and much brainstorming, I have fostered good eDiscovery habits in the many offices I support. I have also established a consistent workflow in regard to data collection, culling, review, production and documentation. While no two cases are the same, this relatively consistent eDiscovery framework has provided a sense of control, transparency and continuity for many of my teams and our clients.

The Litigation Support department assists with the management and review of electronic documents for case teams. We also provide assistance for case teams in preparing for and during trial. One of the best parts of working in this department is the continual learning. As technology continues to progress, our department needs to be ready to advise the lawyers on the best and most defensible methods for handling electronic documents in a way that does not affect the integrity of the files and that ensures the files are not altered in anyway. Our work is fast paced, but we communicate with each other all the time, and we are always open to sharing new ideas and approaches.

DLA Piper is very interested in promoting growth, achievement and success. Recently I was able to take my Relativity Certified User certification exam. My managers worked with me to ensure I had ample time to study and prepare for the exam and even covered the examination fee. I feel this was a very strong example of the direct investment and interest that DLA Piper has in promoting its staff.

My team and co-workers are among the best in the industry! I love the forward thinking and ability to come up with creative solutions to challenging issues.

My greatest achievement has been the way that my career has evolved over the years. I support the firm's CRM system and I take pride in clean data − a lot of processes and procedures are necessary to make that happen. Our data is client facing, so that is top of mind at all times. Last year, I was asked to present to a peer group to share my tips and tricks on how we manage our data. Another accomplishment I am proud of is that we switched mailing platforms while live mailings/events were happening. The transition to the new system was seamless, and I am proud of the work we did to make that happen.

We champion each other to do well. We get the entire department together for biannual conferences, which helps with cohesiveness. We also have monthly telepresence meetings so that, although we work in many different offices, we regularly get to see each other face to face. We share kudos on our monthly calls to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in our department. It is nice to feel supported and recognized by peers.

In the past couple of years, my greatest achievement was working on the relaunch of dlapiper.com and supporting the firm's social media growth. Our firm has been ranked #1 for 4 consecutive years on Good2bSocial's Social Law Firm Index for our use of social media. Also, our website scored 100 percent for website mobility and responsiveness in "2016 Am Law Global 50 Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices."

Our team is great at assessing needs, knows how to execute and react quickly and productively and is collaborative in their efforts. They consistently teach me, empower me and allow me to lead. Everyone is intelligent, works at a high caliber, has high expectations, and, together, creates some of the biggest marketing victories in the world.

I think my greatest achievement at DLA Piper so far has been creating professional and friendly relationships with my team and with lawyers and staff.

My team is one of the biggest benefits of working here. I know I am surrounded by talented, hardworking and, most importantly, caring individuals. We all lean on each other and help one another.

Being part of the team that supports the Global Partners' Conferences is always a big achievement. It is lots of hard work, but you have the opportunity to collaborate (and sometimes even have fun) with colleagues and folks from all over the firm.

My team is an extension of DLA Piper's dedication to excellence. We take pride in all that we do and always strive to produce valuable and quality-driven work products. We pull together when times are tough, and we support each other every day. There has never been a time where I have felt alone or not seen. You can tell accolades are genuine, and you can feel true connections that have been built over the years.

I started at the firm as an analyst and over the years have worked my way up to manager. This is the career track that I had in mind when I came here, and it has been achievable due to the training, support and confidence that my directors have had in me. They gave me the tools I needed and allowed me to prove myself and shine at what I do best. I am very excited to see what the future here at DLA Piper will bring.

The Information Technology team at DLA Piper is very much a family, and I am fortunate to work with a tremendously kind and generous group of people every day. While we all have busy schedules, the staff in this group does not hesitate to jump in and help when needed. From top leadership to interns, this talented team cannot be matched at any other organization.

I began my career at DLA Piper in January 2016 and am amazed at the meaningful relationships I have developed in such a short amount of time. These relationships have allowed for a greater dialogue between the users of technology and those who provide technology at the firm. Because of this, my team has enacted several key initiatives to further innovation within the firm and has worked with our attorneys and clients on how to apply technology directly in the practice of law.

I work for the IP Trademark and Copyright group. It is a blessing to be led by respected partners who go to great lengths to make our group inclusive and diverse, utilizing people and what they bring. I love being led by partners who share the same vision of people as me, who care deeply for things that matter and who make sure that caring extends within the work place and beyond. Everyone in the group works exceptionally hard and we sharpen one another. The professional value I have gained by being a part of this group cannot be more highly valued. I am lucky!

When you can pair your personal abilities with your professional abilities, you learn to become invaluable to a group and a team. It took me some time to let some of my abilities show, but as soon I learned to balance the two, I realized how much opportunity I had – the opportunity to grow, to take charge and to lead in a way that I didn't think was possible before. I am not just here for my group, I am here for the whole experience and to be a part of DLA Piper wherever and however I can. There is no timetable, and that is a great feeling. I am not only at my best, but that is being redefined and sharpened every day.

I have worked for my Raleigh office team for many years and have been blessed with a wonderful group – from support staff to Managing Partner. They are the nicest people! I have also worked with a number of highly skilled paralegals in this firm who impress me every day with their knowledge and experience level.

There have been a few! I have been able to expand my skills and cross over into other practice areas. I have taken on a group in our Chicago office for whom I handle securities filings, and it has definitely forced me to think outside the box and expand my knowledge base. I think my greatest achievement is being respected by the attorneys and requested to assist (even when I am not able to do so), because this conveys their respect and value for my experience and knowledge. I have also enjoyed training other paralegals in the firm – I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with them as they grow their careers. I also worked closely with administration, accounting and paralegal admin to implement an electronic filing system that was an option for a majority of the states for blue sky filings via NASAA. It made sense that we should file electronically because it was much more cost effective for our clients and for the firm.

On any given day, I work most closely with our culinary staff. In order to successfully coordinate conference services, you must have a team mindset and work well with people of varied backgrounds. I enjoy interacting with others and getting to know them and I believe that this fosters a spirit of willingness to go the extra mile to meet the needs of others. The catering staff and I work in tandem to accomplish this goal.

The transition into Hospitality Services was a huge achievement and one that I was grateful to see come to fruition. I take pride in working with the firm's internal and external clients on event planning and conference service, and our teamwork has been a blessing. It is rewarding to see an event run smoothly and to know that both the hosting attorneys and their clients are pleased. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.

I enjoy working with the entire Operations Manager team. Everyone on the team is always there to assist, advise and brainstorm, no matter how large or small the project. I count on their guidance. I also work with a diverse group of people, such as Office Administrators, Managing Partners and Senior Administrative Staff, which I enjoy very much. I like it when I am called on to be a part of a team to work on special projects for the firm. I am always learning with this team and growing with each new challenge.

I have assisted with two moves in the past year. In 2017, I assisted with our Chicago office move. I worked on our Operations Team responsible for implementing cost savings for the firm, which was very challenging and rewarding. Working closely with the Mexico City office and getting new arrivals on board in regard to firm policies has also presented me with new opportunities to build my skills and experience.

I enjoy giving direct support to senior management in a way that really makes a difference. The contributions I make are appreciated and valued as a part of the overall success of the firm.

My greatest achievement in the last couple of years has been being able to mentor new incoming receptionists who are joining the firm. Sharing knowledge and advice that helps my team develop its professionalism is very rewarding.

I enjoy working alongside our recruiting team. We have a more inclusive and collaborative recruiting team than ever before, and work closely together, either locally or firmwide, in brainstorming new strategies, roadmaps and planning. Our local and firmwide recruiting teams are professional and personable and are always available to address questions and provide insight. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is when candidates and colleagues express their gratitude for the diligent work we provide.

Supporting the recruiting managers and streamlining our day-to-day responsibilities and activities, which includes an elaborate list of items, while meeting deadlines. I have recently been more involved in the hiring process for partners and of counsel attorneys in the New York, Short Hills and Wilmington offices and have coordinated the scheduling of partners in our offices in San Juan and across Canada, Latin America and Mexico.

The team is centrally located in the Chicago office, which makes departmental projects and smaller tasks easy to accomplish. Each team member specializes in a departmental function, so having the ability to bring everyone together in person with ease is great. The team is always looking at new technologies and innovative ways to be more efficient as a department and provide the best client service possible.

Supporting global partner conferences has provided me with wonderful opportunities to interact with the global board, international partners and my international learning and development counterparts. Planning for conferences touches everything from the finest points to much larger firm initiatives. It is truly a globally collaborative effort.

The mutual respect among members of the teams that I work most closely with allows for, among other things, highly effective collaboration. This collegiality further enables the teams to develop constructive programs and processes. The support that teams show for each other, particularly at the highest levels of leadership, is key to fostering the solidity of the teams.

Working in a firm such as DLA Piper offers plenty of opportunity. After many years of focusing on the management of one particular functional area, I was able to transition to a different role. The new role has given me the ability to expand the scope of my responsibilities and develop knowledge and skills in new areas – something that continues to this day.

The New Business Intake department is extremely fast-paced and works with time-sensitive material. This creates a challenging and interesting environment. We are constantly learning and adapting to new firm expectations.

Creating a global conflicts database that we use worldwide to ensure the global firm adheres to conflict rules and regulations.

I have the pleasure of working on a highly collaborative team where all team members looks out for each other. Working on a great team and spending each day with teammates that I get along with makes a difference in my daily life. My teammates are wonderful and always professional and smart. Our team is provided the opportunity to work on new and challenging tasks, so I am always being exposed to new and challenging work.

The collaborative efforts our team has invested in creating useful dashboards that others use and view every day is gratifying. With our dashboards, employees are able to view important metrics in real time and our tools allow them more efficiency when running reports, thereby saving them valuable time.

In my role, I work on a very small team, and it is great. Because we are small, we are very efficient and have a great mix of technical talent and business model understanding. It is a very good mix for producing high-quality work.

The Partner Dashboard is my greatest achievement. It consolidates key financial metrics in a one-stop shopping environment and has been very well received by our partners. Of course, I did not do it by myself. This was a true team effort. We also created a Profit Dashboard and brought our profit methodology in house to make the firm more self-sufficient and allow for more flexibility.

DLA Piper fosters a collaborative work environment, enabling employees from different departments all around the world to work together to achieve a common goal. This team environment brings out the best in everyone and energizes you to work smarter and harder than you thought possible.

I am most proud of the personal growth I have achieved. From new projects and innovative process improvements to leadership opportunities and tuition reimbursement, the learning and career advancement opportunities DLA Piper offers are boundless.

The Legal Support Team supports the lawyers of the firm by providing exceptional service to them and their clients. We strive to maintain superior knowledge and expertise in all aspects of that support.

Maintaining expertise in all aspects of the work environment and continuing to provide superior and professional service for our clients.

I believe it is the character of the people on my team that helps me to perform my job at a high level.

I like to believe that I have had many achievements since coming to DLA Piper. One recent achievement was when I was able to demonstrate that 1 percent of our fee was being withheld by a vendor our clients were using to pay invoices. I was able to work with the client and our collections department to opt out of the payment method and receive the full fee in connection with the services we provided.