Training & Personal Development at DLA Piper Australia

Formal training is provided but is nothing noteworthy

Graduate Program induction training is useful, albeit sometimes the sessions have been too late in the program.

Training ranges from impractical to nonexistent. My understanding is that other large and medium firms put their graduates through at least a few days of training to acquaint them with the firm generally and it core systems. A lot of these firms will also hold inductions for grads rotating through specific teams or practice areas for a few hours, a full day, or in several sessions scattered throughout the first few weeks of the graduate program. My firm does not do this. There is training that is generic to all graduates across all teams in the country, and often it is more relevant to graduates in transactional teams rather than backend teams. The litigation team itself does conduct the occasional CLE and the like, but often the focus is doctrinal or informs the strategy that might be implemented in a particular novel matter rather than providing you with specific, practical advice on how to draft a letter. the "at-the-desk" training is often lacking as well. There is a "survival" document for graduates rotating through my team and some precedent/guidance documents, but often no one is available to answer your questions if you have them and so far very little of the training I have received has been relevant to my practice group and my level of experience.

My team has provided me with a lot of guidance, training and opportunity.

Graduate induction is filled with training, corporate team provided me with a survival guide built by other juniors, lunch and learns are common with the partners taking us through and teaching us technical law components and always willing to answer questions

Training is well structured.

We often hold CLEs (continuing legal education sessions) to ensure that staff keep their knowledge up to date and are aware of recent developments in the areas they specialise in.

We have a DLA Piper Academy program which provides virtual training sessions for each practice group and sector we might be interested in. While in your rotation the team will provide you with more challenging tasks as you gain more experience in the team.

I would love to have more but currently they are offering quite a lot.

The DLA Piper Academy is a really useful tool to find training on relevant topics which can be done at your own pace.

When you enter the firm as a graduate, a large part of the early programme involves formal training on drafting, finance, IT and how to use the systems available across the firm. However, the informal aspect of your training continues throughout your time as a graduate and beyond. The combination of being exposed to new tasks and receiving regular feedback means that I continue to improve.

We have really good training, aimed at graduates. Informal training is generally good but it depends on your team.

Some teams take the initiative to provide informal training on practical topics or points of interest, these are often smaller scale and encourage discussion. Other teams are more limited to the scheduled national webinars which are less discursive and more a presentation.

Some teams have excellent training and development programmes such as regular presentations and seminars and library support, others are a little behind but as those practice areas grow it can only improve.

I enjoy the regular training offered to grads and appreciate the organisation behind these.