Launch your career. Graduate recruitment brochure 2013/14

Transcription

1 Launch your career Graduate recruitment brochure 2013/14

2 Nurturing talent A warm welcome 03 The future is bright 04 At a glance 05 Our values matter 06 Our approach 07 Diversity & Inclusion 08 Work happy 09 Hit the mark Launch your career 11 Window of opportunity 12 Meet our people 14 Paralegal career path 21 Hip, hip, hooray First class 23 Pathway to success 24 Sign on the dotted line 25

3 Nurturing talent 2,446 people 1,513 fee-earners 290 partners 4 practice groups 6 sector groups Ranked second place with 8.9 for quality of legal advice in Legal Week 01

4 As a training contract applicant, what really stood out to me was the impressive amount of time partners devoted to the trainee application process from the first interview to the last convincing me that DWF truly invests in and values each trainee. Megan Carr Future trainee 02

5 A warm welcome Andrew Leaitherland Managing Partner It s an exciting time to be part of DWF. Our philosophy is clear: to attract and to retain the best quality people enabling them to deliver the best possible practical, commercial advice. We have achieved significant growth thanks to our distinctive, sector led approach. We ve also strengthened our national offering through strategic mergers with Crutes, Buller Jeffries, Biggart Baillie, Fishburns and the acquisition of Cobbetts, adding to our growing geographical coverage with new offices across the UK and Ireland. From multinational household names through to private individuals, our clients range across the public and private sector spectrum. Our commitment to serving clients saw us maintain our position in the top three national firms and ranked second place on the quality of legal advice in the highly respected Client Satisfaction Report (2012) by Legal Week. Contributing to our continuing success story will be a valuable and rewarding experience one that will get your career off to a flying start. Andrew Leaitherland 03

6 The future is bright We believe trainees to be an important investment. They represent the future of DWF and will play a big part in ensuring we achieve our ambitions. Trainees are selected through a process of assessment and interview. Great care is taken to select the right people and once they join the firm, we do all we can to provide a stimulating and enjoyable work environment. We are proud of our record of retaining trainees at qualification and in many cases, through to partner. DWF understands the importance of supporting trainees through the application process and throughout their careers at DWF. As a result we have two senior partners dedicated to guiding and supporting trainees. Carl Graham, a partner in our Insurance practice group is also our Training Principal. He has overall responsibility for trainee training and welfare. James Szerdy, a partner in our Corporate & Banking practice group, is our Graduate Recruitment Partner. James works alongside the HR team to identify and recruit the best applicants for training contracts and vacation schemes. Carl Graham Partner E carl.graham@dwf.co.uk James Szerdy Partner E james.szerdy@dwf.co.uk 04

7 At a glance What we do Our multidisciplinary experts operate in the following sectors: Energy & Industrials, Financial Services, Retail, Food & Hospitality, Central & Local Government, Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Transport. This is supported by our Practice Group areas: Corporate & Banking Insurance Litigation Real Estate Clients Our ever-expanding portfolio of clients includes household names and plcs, as well as large blue-chip companies and small to medium-sized businesses. Here are just a few of them: Ageas Anglican Water Services Limited Arriva Aviva Chubb DHL First Milk Limited Halfords Liverpool John Moores University London Borough of Sutton Persimmon Homes Primary Horizons RSA Virgin Volkswagen Financial Services 05

8 Our values matter Our values are fundamental to the way we work. They provide us with a framework that is helping us to build our reputation as one of the UK s most highly regarded law firms. This framework unites us to reinforce our business conduct. Our values remind us that we have a purpose beyond making a profit. People Training and development, leadership, best management practice and helping each other enjoy rewarding and fulfilling careers. Clients Outstanding service, commercial insight, straightforward practical advice all in order to achieve clients objectives. Communities Getting involved with local communities wherever we live and work and establishing positive, sustainable relationships with them. Environment Recognising the impact our business has on the environment, controlling our use of natural resources and monitoring business travel to reduce our carbon footprint. 8,397 hours pro bono and community hours over the last year valued at 1,347,

9 Our approach Corporate responsibility At DWF our values shape who we are, what we do and how we do it. This reflects a straightforward but distinctive approach to everything we do for our clients and our people, while continuing to maintain a focus on the social and environmental issues that our wider stakeholders also consider important. We aspire to attract, develop and retain the best people, creating an inclusive culture built on dignity, trust and respect that binds the firm together. Based on our values we also constantly look at ways of delivering the best results in the most sustainable way for our clients, our community and the environment. In practice this means: Focusing on leadership, values, culture and dialogue to enhance the day-to-day employment experience of all our people. Finding more ways to innovate and enhance the DWF experience for our clients, keeping things simple and practical. Managing and measuring our environmental performance to minimise our impact and create long-term value for the firm. Strengthening the connections we make to positively impact the communities in which we live and work. To keep up-to-date with news on our CR activities, please follow us on Facebook 07

10 Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion At DWF we aim to create and maintain an inclusive workplace that respects and embraces diversity and encourages our people, clients and suppliers to demonstrate ownership and responsibility for diversity & inclusion. DWF is a Stonewall Diversity Champion in England, Wales and Scotland. We participate in their annual Workplace Equality Index and the process has given us a clearer understanding of the steps we need to take to evolve our diversity and inclusion approach. Shaping best practice We are part of various initiatives to ensure we promote best practice amongst our people. Flexible working DWF sponsored The Law Society s Flexible Working Best Practice Protocol. We are also members of Working Families who assist employers to develop a high performance, flexible and family friendly working culture. With our growing agile workforce we are embracing smarter ways of working for our people. We believe these initiatives will help us attract and retain talent by improving efficiency, motivation and performance. They will also help enhance our reputation and status as a forward thinking and innovative law firm. Improving transparency We are signed up to the Government s framework for voluntary equality reporting. The initiative called Think, Act, Report aims to improve transparency on gender equality issues and is consistent with our own commitment to equal pay. 08

11 Work happy The social side of DWF All work and no play? Not at DWF. The way we see it, relaxing and socialising with each other, sharing common interests and experiences and having a bit of fun are all crucial to creating an enjoyable working environment. Becoming a top 20 law firm is as much about working with great people as the work itself. Here are just a few of the things we get up to: Sports societies and teams Friday Fridge Social Committee recent events have included theatre and comedy night trips, wine tasting and cupcake making Trainee dinners Summer Soiree Trainee quizzes Charity and community events. 09

12 Hit the mark c.60 Vacation Placements a year c.48 Trainees a year c.190 Paralegal opportunities a year 10

13 Launch your career Meet the HR Team If you have any questions, contact our Graduate Recruitment team at any time at Open days and placements Open days are a great way to have a look around DWF, meet some of our people, talk about opportunities and find out what it s like to work here. Find out about DWF open days online at DWF Vacation Scheme Experience life as a DWF trainee Each summer we offer placements in the majority of our locations, where you can join one of our many practice groups and get to grips with some challenging projects. Academic requirements: A 2.1 degree, in any discipline. AAB at A Level or equivalent / AAABB Scottish Higher Level. The closing date for vacation scheme applications is 31 March To apply, please complete an online application form at Before you start England LPC Before joining us, you will complete a DWF LPC in conjunction with the University of Law. This means you will meet your future colleagues at the earliest opportunity and stay up to date with developments here while you study. You can complete the DWF LPC at any UK University of Law branch. DWF sponsors the funding for the LPC course. Scotland Diploma The Diploma in Legal Practice is valid for two years from the January following its completion award. If you still wish to pursue a traineeship you can apply for an extension to the validity of your Diploma. You would need to submit evidence of what you have been doing to keep up-to-date with the law, any evidence of unsuccessful applications you may have made for traineeships and an up-to-date CV. Trainees need to apply to the Law Society of Scotland for an Entrance Certificate in advance of starting their traineeship and provide DWF with this certificate on joining. DWF sponsors the funding for the Scottish Diploma. Social events We hold regular social events, so before you start at DWF, we will be inviting you to dinners, quizzes, sports days and events. We will also keep you up to date by sending you our quarterly newsletter. 11

14 Window of opportunity The DWF training contract The six-seat programme DWF s unique training contract is divided into six four-month seats. This means you ll get a real taste of the variety of work we offer so you can make informed decisions about your future career path. You ll have the opportunity to sit in different practice groups and in your final seat you will be given the opportunity to return to the practice group you want to qualify in to. Helping you work to your strengths Half way through each seat, you ll meet with a senior member of our HR team to discuss your progress and which practice area you d like to experience in your next seat. After 16 months, you ll have gained excellent hands-on experience in four seats and you can then discuss your longer-term career aspirations with the Training Principal. Wherever possible, we ll match your skills and preferences to pre-qualification seats. You may also have the chance to complete a secondment with a key client and rotate between our offices. Training and development As a trainee solicitor, you ll work alongside a partner, associate or senior solicitor to gain practical day-to-day experience. You ll combine this with in-house lectures, workshop programmes and the Professional Skills Course (PSC). We will also provide you with a mentor who is an existing trainee within the firm. They will share their experiences with you and guide you through the early stages of your career. Trainees become vital members of the team very quickly and enjoy taking on appropriate responsibilities at an early stage. To qualify as a solicitor in Scotland, individuals must complete a two-year training contract/peat 2. Trainees must complete a logbook and have regular quarterly reviews. All trainees will also get involved in the DWF Trainee Modular Programme that assists in giving further practical skills relevant to the trainee role.

15 Career development What happens upon qualification as a solicitor? When you qualify as a solicitor at DWF you can explore career possibilities as a solicitor, senior solicitor, associate and ultimately a director or partner. Of course, we ll give you all the support and guidance you need as you reach for your career goals. We have a dedicated Learning & Development team that provides in-house and external training and development that covers all your needs. 13

16 Meet our people Here s your chance to find out what it s like to train with DWF from future, current and past trainees. I am fascinated by DWF s strategic investments which have led to the firm becoming one of the fastest-growing regional firms in the UK despite challenging economic times. Megan Carr is joining our London office as a trainee in 2013 Qualifications Degree Law (LLB) at The London School of Economics LPC College of Law (London Moorgate) What attracted you to DWF? DWF s commitment to quality training was a key factor in deciding to begin my legal career with the firm. DWF offers the ideal training contract that really invests in individuals: greater responsibility, high end, complex work with national reach, client and office secondments, a unique rotation of six four-month seats and a good retention rate. As a training contract applicant, what really stood out to me was the impressive amount of time partners devoted to the trainee application process from the first interview to the last convincing me that DWF truly invests in and values each trainee. After researching DWF and meeting people at the firm, it quickly became apparent that DWF s exponential growth combined with its friendly, unpretentious culture made it different. Advice on applications My biggest piece of advice is to be proactive in research! By reading everything you can about a law firm and attending open days and law fairs, you will gain a much better sense of the people, culture and work. This will not only enable you to find out the kind of law firm you are attracted to, but it will also help convince the firm that you have reasoned motivations for working there. When writing your applications showcase yourself by trying to best match your qualities and ambition to the competencies that the firm is looking for. Be sure to substantiate your answers with clear and detailed evidence of how you have demonstrated these competencies, drawing on different areas of life. What does the future hold? I start my training contract in September Keeping in touch with the firm s impressive developments and developing new friendships with people at DWF through the firm s organised social events and trainee newsletters, have increased my eagerness to start my career at DWF. I am greatly looking forward to building strong working relationships at the firm and with clients and gaining the best hands-on experience in my training contract that will be the foundation for a long-term legal career with DWF. 14

17 If you are looking for a firm that exposes you to client contact and encourages you to take on responsibility right from the start, DWF is a good match for you. Megan Dickinson is currently training in our Newcastle Office Qualifications Degree Law (LLB) Newcastle University LPC Northumbria University Seats Professional Indemnity Insurance; Corporate, Banking & Finance What attracted you to DWF? I obtained my training contract with Crutes shortly before the merger with DWF. I knew that DWF shared similar values to Crutes, which was important to me, and I was excited to learn that following the merger there would be an opportunity to gain experience in a broad range of practice groups that had not been available before. It is definitely an exciting time to be training in the Newcastle office because the continued growth has cultivated a lot of new opportunities for the trainees. I was impressed that I was given my own files to run with the support of senior fee earners and partners in the team. It is very reassuring to be training at a firm that continues to grow in the difficult economic climate. The future for DWF is looking bright and it feels good to be working in such a forward-thinking environment. What s the highlight so far? I was delighted to attend a mediation in London during the first seat of my training contract. I had been assisting with the file and helped to make the arrangements for the mediation, so it was great to attend on the day and understand how a mediation works in practice. I was also able to listen to a very experienced partner in the team negotiate with the other side and provide advice to the client in relation to tactics and settlement an invaluable opportunity. Outside of work, I am really pleased to have started up a netball team in the Newcastle office. The team regularly competes in a local league and it has been a great way to get to know people in other practice groups that ordinarily, I would not get an opportunity to talk to on a daily basis. 15

18 Briefly describe a typical day for you at DWF On an average day, I arrive at the office between 8 and 8:30am. I like to get in early so that I can check my s and have a look through my calendar to prioritise my task list for the day. My daily tasks vary quite a bit, depending on the files that I am assisting on. In my current seat, Professional Indemnity Insurance, I spend quite a lot of time preparing lists of documents for disclosure, drafting instructions to counsel and experts, and preparing initial reports to clients on liability and quantum. I have also assisted on quite complex tasks such as drafting standstill and settlement agreements, and drafting policy advice to insurer clients. I have found that my supervisor has really encouraged me to take on as much responsibility and client contact as possible. My team is quite busy at the moment, which is great because it means that I am exposed to a lot of different work that in turn helps me to build on my drafting, research and client contact skills. I usually leave the office around 6pm, although on the odd occasion I may have to stay later if I have a lot of work to get through, for example to meet a court deadline. DWF does have a great work/life balance so there is no pressure to stay late unless the workload demands it, it is not often that I do have to work late. What does the future hold? I am currently in my third seat and will not be qualifying until September At the moment, I am not sure where I would like to qualify and I am focusing on getting as much experience as possible to help me make a well-informed decision. DWF invests a great deal of time in its trainees and has a good retention rate, which is very reassuring in terms of qualification prospects. Any tips for students thinking of applying? I think the most important thing, is to make sure you have fully researched DWF before applying looking online, as well as attending law fairs and open days. Knowing about the firm s practice groups, values and the way we do business is something that will help you give genuine, well-thought out answers to interview questions such as, why do you want to work for DWF?. It is also a good idea to boost the extra-curricular side of your CV to help you stand out from the other applicants. DWF is a very sociable firm that has a lot to offer in terms of sport teams, charitable work and social events, so it is also a great way to demonstrate that you would be a good fit for the firm. 16

19 Qualifications Degree Law (LLB) at University College London LPC The College of Law (London Moorgate) Jay Kesaria is currently training in our London office Seats Catastrophic Personal Injury, Casualty, Family, Construction / Corporate, Regulatory, Secondment to De Vere Group. What attracted you to DWF? I was attracted to DWF because it truly is a full-service law firm. DWF was able to offer quality practices in areas such as Employment, Insurance, Family and Regulatory. An opportunity to gain exposure to such a varied offering compelled me to apply. Furthermore, DWF differentiated itself from the competition with its four-month seat rotations. Given that I was undecided in what I wanted to specialise in, being able to see more of the business was welcomed. As I approach the end of my training, I can confidently say that had it not been for DWF s unique six, four-month seat approach, I would not have encountered the practice areas I enjoyed most. Finally, and I know it sounds cliché, but what cemented DWF s appeal was its people. What stood out most about DWF was that when I walked into an assessment day and spoke not just to fee earners, but also fellow applicants, I found myself saying to myself I could work with these people. That s important. 17

20 What s the highlight so far? I have been privileged enough to be able to say that I couldn t just pick one highlight, but if I had to pick one it would be working on food regulation matters relating to the horsemeat scandal and working closely with a Corporate Partner to bring a conclusion to a heated partnership dispute. Briefly describe a typical day for you at DWF I am currently on secondment at De Vere Group, a hotel and corporate venues chain, and honestly, there is no typical day. This morning for example, I concluded a licence agreement to provide services to a hotel, dealt with a debt dispute and assisted in a corporate intelligence exercise across the Group. Yesterday was just as varied and my diary tomorrow suggests it will be too. I ve drafted elements of commercial contracts and liaised with Group General Managers and Directors to move matters forward. It s hugely gratifying to be given real responsibility and for people to be genuinely appreciative of your efforts and thankful for your guidance. What does the future hold? This secondment is my last seat so I will be qualifying into London s Corporate Team in September The team does great work for clients in some really interesting sectors so I m excited to start. The team has high standards and the ambition has always been to be able to stand on my own two feet once I qualify, so I ll be honing my skills over the coming months to make that happen. Any tips for students thinking of applying? DWF doesn t just want to know about why you re a great person; they want to know why you re a great person for them. If you can demonstrate that you and the firm could share that symbiotic relationship then you will catch our attention. 18

21 Ben Johnson is currently working as a newly qualified solicitor in our Commercial Litigation team in the Manchester office Qualifications Degree Law (LLB) at Newcastle University LPC College of Law (York) Seats Motor Fraud Insurance, Corporate, Real Estate, Finance & Restructuring, Commercial Litigation What attracted you to DWF? When first applying for jobs I was intending to stay in the North of England, so I was looking for a firm with a strong regional focus which also had a national offering. DWF ticked all the boxes, offering location which did not compromise on the quality of work. Even at that time the firm had an enviable portfolio of clients and this has increased consistently ever since. I was impressed by the ambitious strategy and growth of the firm, which matched my own aspirations. The view that DWF was going places has certainly proved well founded! As a firm with a broad range of commercial offerings and a unique seat structure, it also presented scope for gaining experience in a wide variety of areas. Above everything else, I was impressed by the people at DWF. From those I met at law fairs to the individuals interviewing me, there was a genuine enthusiasm and friendliness that led me to believe this was the place for me, and so it has proved. The Friday Fridge presents an opportunity for colleagues to meet and get to know each other. What s the highlight so far? There have been highlights and achievements that I can take away from each seat and have real pride in. Every seat presents an opportunity to prove yourself in a new environment and develop your skill base. I would say my best highlights have come during my time in Commercial Litigation, both during my time as a trainee and on qualifying. Our work mostly involves large scale commercial disputes between all manner of parties. I was working on a shareholder dispute case, involving a deadlocked company, which was particularly interesting and eventually ended up in a 7 day trial at the High Court. The experience gained was invaluable and of greater importance was that we achieved a result for the client which was beyond his expectations. You could see how much it meant to him and his employees, as the outcome meant that they could get back to running their business. 19

22 Briefly describe a typical day for you at DWF I usually get into work about 8:30am, which gives me the chance to sort out a list of my tasks for the day and speak to a few other members of the team who I may be involved with on different cases. It s also an opportunity to briefly catch up with people within the team. We have a very sociable department and its nice to be able to speak to people and hear what they are up to. A lot of the work we do involves court proceedings therefore, the work I can be required to undertake during the average day includes drafting detailed claim letters, witness statements, applications, instructions to Counsel etc. Apart from drafting documents there will often be meetings or conference calls with clients and Counsel, as well as calls to various others including experts, witnesses or your opponent s legal representatives. Whilst I was given a good exposure to this work while a trainee, since qualifying I have been given greater responsibility for running my own files and inputting to case strategy on bigger matters. There is always a more senior member of the team you can go to for some advice as it is appreciated that you are still developing. I am also more involved with the administrative and financial issues (i.e. billing, revenue control) that are central to DWF being able to operate as a successful business. Usually there will also be a few business development events or presentations on recent legal developments before or after work every month. These may be put on by DWF or externally by others. I will try and go to as many of these events as possible as it is important to keep yourself in the know given the ever changing nature of law and it is valuable to speak to people in other businesses. There is no expectation on people to stay longer than is required and usually I will finish work at 6/6.30 depending on what big matters are on. What does the future hold? At present I want to continue improving and developing my technical and commercial knowledge in Commercial Litigation. This will ensure that I am able to provide the best quality service to the client in the most efficient manner. After that, the aim will be to work my way up, perhaps with a view to supervising and having my own trainee one day! DWF continues to grow, moving onto bigger, better and more exciting prospects. I m certainly looking forward to what the firm and I can achieve in the next few years. Any tips for students thinking of applying? I would say it is always vital that you tailor your application specifically to the firm you want to apply for. Applications are a two way process and you need to be sure that DWF is also the right place for you. With that in mind, I would always encourage applicants to be themselves during the process, as this is better for everyone in the long term. 20

23 Paralegal career path As a DWF paralegal, you ll receive thorough technical and developmental training, plus excellent support and regular opportunities to review and advance your career with us. Trainee solicitors and paralegals are regularly involved in business development and networking opportunities and get the chance to work closely with high profile clients and run their own files on smaller transactions. What career development is available for DWF paralegals? The Paralegal Academy provides development and progression opportunities. Supported by our Paralegal Champion team comprising of mentors and advocates, this route also provides opportunities to progress to partner level. 21

24 Hip, hip, hooray Good to know Rewards and benefits you choose The DWF benefits scheme is designed to let you choose the benefits that suit you. Some elements are the same for everyone, but others are there to suit your individual preferences and circumstances: Core benefits give everyone at DWF peace of mind in planning for the future. For trainees and paralegals, these include 25 days holiday, life assurance, a medical cash plan, a pension scheme and access to an Employee Assistance Programme. Flexible benefits give you access to a wide range of benefits to fit around your lifestyle and any changes along the way. For example, you can choose childcare vouchers, retail vouchers and travel insurance, or use the Cycle2Work scheme through DWF. Competitive salary In many of our offices we also offer a subsidised bistro and coffee bar. 22

25 First class What we look for We only recruit people of the highest calibre, who are committed to a career in law, enjoy working as part of a busy team and respond positively to challenges. Like everyone at DWF, as a trainee or paralegal your priority is to achieve consistently high standards of service and the best results for our clients. We seek talented individuals, who share our ambition and can bring a positive approach, strong ideas and extra value to our teams. You ll have commercial acumen, good organisational skills and a refreshing approach to our clients needs. We re also keen to talk to candidates who have interests outside academia and appreciate the importance of a healthy work/life balance. Diversity Nurturing talent is very important to us. We are committed to equal opportunities in all areas of work and business. We want people to achieve their best, which will positively impact on our clients and communities in which we live and work. At DWF, we empower our people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations. We also want to ensure that everyone who seeks employment with DWF has a positive experience. We are committed to supporting everyone, either through the application process itself or if you require any reasonable adjustments should you be invited to meet us. We are committed to an ongoing programme of improvements to provide access to all. Applications We welcome training contract applications from penultimate year law students, and final year students and graduates from any degree discipline. Rather than employ lots of trainees to deal only with routine support tasks, we take on a small number of trainee solicitors each year to ensure each gets plenty of hands-on experience and can accept appropriate responsibility for legal matters at an early stage. Entry requirements DWF trainees need a 2.1 or higher in any degree discipline, and AAB or higher at A Level or equivalent / AAABB at Scottish Higher Level. Entry requirements for paralegal vacancies vary depending on the practice area and the day-to-day responsibilities of the position. In some cases we simply require graduates from any degree discipline looking to take their first steps towards paralegal work, but for some roles you ll need to have completed an LPC. Visit us online at for details of all our current vacancies. 23

26 Pathway to success Training Contracts Law Students Non Law Students GDL Students LPC Students Scotland First & Second Year Work hard, law firms will look at first & second year grades First & Second Year Work hard, law firms will look at first & second year grades Complete LLB/ Foundation Programme Penultimate Year Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Attend law fairs & university presentations Oct 2013 Research & apply for a place on the vacation scheme (closing date 31 Mar 2014) Jun/Jul 2014 Attend vacation placement at DWF April/May/Jun/Jul 2014 Apply for training contract (closing date 31 Jul 2014) Summer/Autumn 2014 Interviews & assessment centres for training contracts Final Year Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Attend law fairs & university presentations Oct 2013 Research & apply for a place on the vacation scheme (closing date 31 Mar 2014) Nov 2013 Apply for GDL Jun/Jul 2014 Attend vacation placement at DWF April/May/Jun/Jul 2014 Apply for training contract (closing date 31 July 2014) Summer/Autumn 2014 Interviews & assessment centres for training contracts Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Attend law fairs & university presentations Oct 2013 Research & apply for a place on the vacation scheme (closing date 31 Mar 2014) Jun/Jul 2014 Attend vacation placement at DWF April/May/Jun/Jul 2014 Apply for training contract (closing date 31 Jul 2014) Jun 2014 GDL Exams Summer/Autumn 2014 Interviews & assessment centres for training contracts Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Attend law fairs & university presentations Oct 2013 Research & apply for a place on the vacation scheme (closing date 31 Mar 2014) Jun/Jul 2014 Attend vacation placement at DWF April/May/Jun/Jul 2014 Apply for training contract (closing date 31 Jul 2014) Jun 2014 LPC Exams Summer/Autumn 2014 Interviews & assessment centres for training contracts Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Attend law fairs & university presentations Oct 2013 Research & apply for a place on the vacation scheme (closing date 31 Mar 2014) Jun/Jul 2014 Attend vacation placement at DWF April/May/Jun/Jul 2014 Apply for training contract (closing date 31 Jul 2014) Summer/Autumn 2014 Interviews & assessment centres for training contracts Final Year 2014/2015 Apply for LPC Post Graduation Aug/Sep 2015 Start LPC Jun 2016 LPC Exams Sep 2016 Commence training contract Post Graduation Sep 2014 Start GDL Nov 2014 Apply for LPC Jun 2015 GDL Exams Aug/Sep 2015 Start LPC Jun 2016 LPC Exams Sep 2016 Commence training contract Post GDL Aug/Sep 2014 Start LPC Jun 2015 LPC Exams Sep 2015/2016 Commence training contract Post LPC Sep 2015/2016 Commence training contract Post LLB/Foundation Programme Complete The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice Sep 2016 Commence traineeship 24

27 Sign on the dotted line Training contacts and vacation schemes For training contracts or for a place on a DWF vacation scheme you will need to complete the online application form at Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview and an assessment centre. Closing date for applications: Vacation scheme: 31 March 2014 Training contract: 31 July 2014 Paralegal ongoing The offer, and beyond You might still be studying when you receive your offer, so we ll stay in touch with regular updates and newsletters and invite you to a range of social events. This way, you ll get to meet some of your future colleagues and start to get a feel for the DWF culture. Paralegal opportunities your CV and covering letter, including the corresponding job reference code, to recruitmentenquiries@dwf.co.uk. We ll be in touch if you re shortlisted for interview. As part of the selection process we may ask you to complete an online test and there will normally be a one-to-two stage interview process for paralegal vacancies. 25

28 Blast off Graduate Recruitment Team Katherine Elam Kate Hasluck +44 (0) Offices Birmingham Bristol Dublin Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds Liverpool London Manchester Newcastle Preston You can download directions to each of our offices from DWF LLP 2013 DWF LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC The term Partner is used to refer to a Member of DWF LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. DWF LLP (registered number OC328794) is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. ISO 9001: 2008 Certificate No LRQ ISO 14001: 2004 Certificate Number LRQ DWF LLP is also recognised as an incorporated practice by the Law Society of Scotland with registered number In Scotland, DWF LLP uses the brand DWF Biggart Baillie. ISO 27001: 2005 Certificate Number GB12/ DWF Fishburns is a brand name of DWF LLP. A list of the Members of DWF LLP and of the Non-Members who are designated as Partners is open to inspection at its registered office, 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3AA.