DLA Piper Recruitment Process, Watson Glaser Test, and Graduate Schemes Practice Guide 2024

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SUMMARY

Are you applying for the DLA Piper graduate scheme or preparing for your upcoming DLA Piper recruitment process? Find everything you need for your DLA Piper online assessment test practice applicable across the globe including the US and the UK in this guide.

Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessments tests, interviews and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process. 

Not sure if you should practice to prepare for the DLA Piper recruiting process? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.

IN A NUTSHELL

1. Fill in the DLA Piper Online Application 

• Match your qualifications and skills with the job description. 
• Research DLA Piper’s values and fill out the application accordingly. 
• Pick keywords from the job description and use them in your resume. 

2. Practice for the DLA Piper Watson Glaser Test 

As your application gets selected, you are invited to the next stage of your DLA Piper hiring process, where you will be invited to complete the DLA Piper Watson Glaser Test.

You may get rejected already after your assessment tests. These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates. The only proven way to get to the next round is to practice.

3. Record mock video interviews of yourself 

Prepare for a DLA Piper video interview that will last up to 30 minutes and will require you to answer pre-recorded questions. This is a behavioral interview and may also require you to respond to questions in written form. 

Improve your DLA Piper interview technique using:

• a smartphone to record yourself
• Zoom or
• Our reliable video interview platform

Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times.

4. Prepare for the DLA Piper Assessment Centre Exercises

The last stage of your DLA Piper recruitment process will be the DLA Piper assessment center where you will be required to sit through various assessment center exercises aiming to assess your analytical skills. These exercises may be: 

• Analysis Presentation 
• Group Exercise 
• Partner Interview

For your final interview, practice with our video interview platform and record yourself answering the interview questions using the STAR+R method.

Continue reading to get answers to these critical questions:

1. What is the DLA Piper’s recruitment process?
2. What is the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser critical thinking test?
3. How to pass the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser critical thinking test?
4. How to pass the DLA Piper’s partner interview?
5. What are DLA Piper graduate schemes?

Looking into assessments with DLA Piper, click on the table below to practice assessments relevant to your assessment process!

Before we dive into the assessments, let’s discover more about DLA Piper first.

Who is DLA Piper?

Founded in 2005, DLA Piper was formed by the merger of three law firms, i.e., Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP, Piper Rudnick LLP, and DLA LLP. DLA Piper is a global law firm capable of taking care of the most important legal needs of clients whenever they do business. 

DLA Piper is present in more than 40 countries and has over 6,000 employees globally. They receive thousands of applications each year. But where in DLA Piper do the applicants apply to? 

Let’s find out the key fields and job functions you can apply to below.

DLA Piper Careers

What job functions does DLA Piper provide? 

DLA Piper provides a number of job opportunities to both lawyers as well as those interested in other relevant fields of the business. The jobs functions available to lawyers and business professionals are listed below:

Lawyers:

Business Professionals: 

To apply to these roles and prove to be a great fit, make sure you keep in mind DLA Piper’s values, as this will help you understand the work culture at DLA Piper and align your interests with the company’s expectations. What are these values? Let’s check these out below. 

DLA Piper’s Values

What are the core values of DLA Piper? 

The core values of DLA Piper are as follows: 

1. Be Supportive: DLA Piper believes treating everyone fairly and with respect and courtesy. They are inclusive, approachable and supportive of their clients and colleagues and make positive contributions to global communities. 

2. Be Collaborative: DLA Piper believes in reaching out to others, helping them and listening attentively and value new ideas. They believe in making themselves available when needed.  

3. Be Bold: DLA Piper is a strategic and future-oriented firm. They are confident enough to be challenged and are open to being challenged. 

4. Be Exceptional: DLA Piper is known for delivering the highest standard of legal advice and service excellence by getting to the heart of issues and challenges and providing pragmatic, commercial solutions.

Now, you will need much more research than this to write a good resume that aligns with DLA Piper’s expectations and impress the DLA Piper talent acquisition team for your upcoming interviews. 

Below, we have mentioned some more pointers that will give you a head start on your research.  

How To Research for DLA Piper Assessment

1. Familiarise yourself with the company: Understand DLA Piper’s practice areas, recent cases, and any notable achievements, recent news, and developments.

2. Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Other Directories: Look for the firm’s profile on legal directories like Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. These platforms often provide rankings, client reviews, and information about key lawyers and practice areas.

3. Social media presence: Check DLA Piper’s presence on social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., as they can provide you with real-time information on the company’s culture. 

4. Look for their contributions to the community: Find any charity work or any services to the community by the firm. For example: DLA Pipers gave 2,15,000 hours to pro bono cases in 2022. 

5. Find a reason that aligns with your personal interests: Find a reason that connects you with DLA Piper on a personal level. The reason may be their values, an initiative taken for disaster relief, any climate-oriented goal that may help the planet, etc. 

Now that you know all about DLA Piper, let’s jump right into the DLA Piper recruitment process. 

DLA Piper Recruitment Process

What is the DLA Piper recruitment process? 

The DLA Piper recruitment process consists of various assessment stages which will evaluate you on the basis of your critical thinking, cognitive skills as well as your personality traits. The four stages of DLA Piper recruiting process are: 

1. DLA Piper Online Application
2. DLA Piper Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test
3. DLA Piper Video Interview
4. DLA Piper Assessment Centre

Let’s get into the details of these stages of the DLA Piper application process, starting with the online application.

DLA Piper Online Application

What is the DLA Piper online application form? 

The DLA Piper online application form is your first chance to impress your employers at DLA Pipers and is a simple process through which DLA Piper aims to get the first impression of you and understand where you come from. You will be required to provide the following details in your application:

1. Personal details
2. Work History 
3. Educational History 
4. Language skills 
5. Upload documents (Resume/CV, Cover letter, additional documents, etc.) 

Regardless of how you apply, the most important and job winning part of your DLA Piper application is your CV or resume. Therefore, make sure you take some extra time and build a resume that can get you to the next stages of the DLA Piper recruitment process.

If you want more tips to prepare for your DLA Piper application process, don’t miss our following short video:

Once your resume gets selected by the DLA Piper talent acquisition team, you will be required to complete the DLA Piper Watson Glaser critical thinking test. Keep reading as we uncover the details of this assessment.

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DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test

What is the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser critical thinking test? 

The DLA Piper Watson Glaser critical thinking test is designed to assess an individual’s ability to digest and understand situations and information. It is often used by employers where the ability to critically consider arguments or propositions is particularly important.

Law firms such as DLA Piper often use the Watson Glaser test to assess your cognitive abilities as well as the inference-making abilities.

How much time does the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser test take?  

The DLA Piper Watson Glaser test is divided into 5 sections each of which will contain several questions. There will be up to 40 questions to be completed in or under 30 minutes. 

What does the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser test consist of? 

The DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser critical thinking test is divided into the following 5 question types within their own sections:

1. Inference
2. Recognising assumptions
3. Deduction
4. Interpretation
5. Evaluating Arguments 

Let’s start with some general tips to pass the DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser critical thinking test. 

HOW TO PASS THE DLA PIPER WATSON GLASER TEST

Top 5 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Watson Glaser Test

1. Practice Makes Perfect
   • The best way to familiarise yourself with the questions of the Watson Glaser Test is to practice. Practice critical thinking tests to gain a better understanding of the real DLA Piper test.

2. Develop Analytical Skills
   • The DLA Piper Watson Glaser test assesses your ability to draw logical conclusions from the given information. Therefore, practice breaking down complex information, identifying key points, and understanding the relationships between these points.

3. Evaluate Arguments
   • A significant part of the test involves evaluating arguments. Practice identifying the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments, understanding the evidence presented, and assessing the overall validity of the reasoning.

4. Read the Instructions Carefully
   • A key skill measured in this DLA assessment is your attention to detail. Make sure to read through the instructions at the start of each section carefully and check through the passages and statements twice to make sure you capture the important details. 

5. Manage Your Time
   • To stay on top of the 30 minute time limit, spread your time evenly to ensure you complete as many questions as you can. If you get stuck on a question, take an educated guess and move on.

With this, we have provided most of the  information about your DLA Piper’s Watson Glaser test, and if you pass this test, you will be called for the DLA Piper’s video interview.

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DLA Piper Video Interview

What is the DLA Piper video interview? 

The DLA Piper video interview, also known as the DLA Piper digital interview will assess your motivations and alignment toward the role you have applied to. The DLA Piper interview will require you to answer 3 pre-recorded questions and record yourself answering these questions.

Discover more about video interviews such as the DLA Piper video interview with our quick video below!  

You will be required to answer both behavioral and competency-based questions. Therefore, make sure you organize your answer well. 

HOW TO PASS THE DLA PIPER VIDEO INTERVIEW

Check out our top 7 tips to pass the DLA interview questions below: 

Top 7 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Video Interview

1. Research the Firm: Familiarize yourself with DLA Piper’s values, culture, and any recent news or developments.

2. Understand the Role: Check through the job description and talk with employees to understand their experiences and uncover the skills and qualities DLA Piper are looking for.

3. Review Your Resume: Be prepared for a discussion about your resume and highlighting relevant experiences and skills. Be prepared to provide examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.

4. Know the Legal Landscape: Make sure you stay informed about the current legal issues and trends in the legal industry. Be prepared to discuss these topics during the interview.

5. Practice Answering Behavioral Questions: To answer behavioral questions, make use of the STAR+R format and structure your responses accordingly. Go prepared with some examples that demonstrate the skills mentioned in your job description. 

6. Watch Interviews and Webinars: Find any interviews or webinars featuring DLA Piper’s representatives. These interviews will provide you an additional insight into the issues that the company is facing as well as the industry trends. 

7. Network with Professionals: Reach out to people within the legal industry, especially those associated with DLA Piper to gain an understanding of skills and experiences the company is looking for.

Moving forward, let us discuss some DLA Piper interview questions and their answers. 

How To Answer DLA Piper Interview Questions?

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DLA PIPER AND WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK FOR US?

Good Answer:

I first learned about DLA Piper through my extensive research into top law firms known for their commitment to excellence and global impact. As I delved into the legal industry, DLA Piper consistently stood out for its diverse range of practice areas, innovative approach, and reputation for fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

What particularly drew me to DLA Piper is your firm’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of legal practice while maintaining a strong focus on client success. This aligns with my own aspirations as an attorney who is keen on contributing to a diverse and dynamic legal community.

Furthermore, I believe in the importance of using legal expertise to make a positive and therefore your firm’s track record in pro bono cases is inspiring. I am eager to bring my expertise to DLA Piper and contribute to the continued success of the firm. 

DESCRIBE A TIME YOU WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR A ROLE

Good Answer: 

• Situation: In my previous role as a paralegal at XYZ law firm, we were handling a complex litigation case with tight deadlines and a significant volume of documents to review. The case was critical to our client, and the team was under immense pressure to ensure accurate legal representation.

• Task: As part of my responsibilities, I was tasked with managing the document review process.

• Action:  Recognizing the importance of accuracy and efficiency, I took the initiative to propose and implement a more streamline document review system. I researched and identified useful document review software that could significantly improve the process while maintaining a high level of accuracy. After gaining approval from my supervisor, I spearheaded the implementation of the new system, ensuring that all team members received comprehensive training to maximize its benefits.

• Result: The implementation of the new document review system resulted in a 30% reduction in the time required for document analysis. This not only allowed us to meet the tight deadlines set by the court but also enhanced the overall quality of our legal work and positively affected our case. 

• Reflect: This experience reinforced my commitment to delivering exceptional results and demonstrated my ability to identify and implement improvements that benefit both the team and the clients we serve. 

After completing the video interview, Summer internships and Apprenticeships candidates are invited to the DLA Piper assessment centre. This is the last stage of the DLA Piper interview process. 

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DLA Piper Assessment Centre

What is the DLA Piper assessment centre? 

The DLA Piper assessment centre will evaluate the candidates on the basis of their abilities and behaviours in a real-life work environment. Through these exercises, DLA Piper aims to assess your team working, observational skills, collaboration as well as confidence.

The DLA Piper assessment centre exercises typically include:  

1. DLA Piper Group Exercise
2. DLA Piper Analysis Presentation
3. DLA Piper Partner Interview

Keep reading to discover more about these three DLA Piper assessment centre stages. 

1. DLA Piper Group Exercise

What is the DLA Piper group exercise? 

The DLA Piper group exercise is a group task where you are divided into small teams. This task will allow you 15 minutes to read through all the information given to you and then 40 minutes will be provided to you to discuss the given topic. 

HOW TO PASS THE DLA PIPER GROUP EXERCISE?

Top 5 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Group Exercise

1. Practice Reading: Practice reading and extracting information under time pressure. This will be useful to ensure you gather the key details for your group within the short time limit.

2. Show Active Listening: Listen carefully when your teammates make some valid points and do not forget to appreciate the good ones. 

3. Avoid Dominating the Group: Do not raise your voice in order to be heard. Make sure you don’t compel your team to believe that your approach is the best, listen to other approaches by your team with an open mind.

4. Keep track of the time: To ensure your team completes the task within the 40 minutes, ensure to monitor the time regularly and keep your group updated on the time remaining.

5. Delegate roles: If the exercise involves different tasks and projects, consider delegating work to other teammates based on their skills and strengths. 

Next up, you will be required to sit for a final interview. Let’s get into the details of this DLA Piper analysis presentation. 

2. DLA Piper Analysis Presentation

What is the DLA Piper analysis presentation? 

The DLA Piper analysis presentation will require you to read and understand a set of information which will most likely be about a fictional company in one hour and devise a future strategy based on the data provided. 

HOW TO PASS THE DLA PIPER ANALYSIS PRESENTATION?

To do well in this DLA Piper analysis presentation, you must keep the following tips that GF has to offer to help you deliver a good presentation. 

Top 5 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Analysis Presentation 

1. Research Thoroughly: Read through the candidate brief carefully to ensure you pick up all the important information provided. Include these into your presentation to support your points.

2. Involve the Audience: Before you begin the presentation, it may help to ask the DLA Piper assessor if they are looking for anything specific. Use their feedback to focus your presentation.

3. Organize Your Content: Maintain a reasonable structure throughout your presentation. Begin with an introduction, outline the key points, and conclude with a summary of your findings and recommendations.

4. Focus on Key Issues: Identify and prioritize the key legal issues related to the topic. DLA Piper will likely be interested in your ability to identify and address the most crucial aspects of a legal matter.

5. Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid using any unnecessary jargon, and ensure that your presentation is understandable for both legal and non-legal audiences.

6. Support Your Points: Back up your analysis with evidence and examples. Reference relevant statutes, case law, and any other authoritative sources to strengthen your arguments.

7. Consider Potential Counterarguments: Anticipate potential counterarguments based on your findings and address them in your presentation. This demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape.

Next up, is the last stage of your DLA Piper assessment process, i.e., the DLA Piper partner interview. 

3. DLA Piper Partner Interview

What is the DLA Piper partner interview? 

The DLA Piper partner interview will require you to sit for an on-site interview with a firm partner about your accomplishments, experiences, interests and career objectives. This is also a good opportunity to ask your own questions about DLA Piper. 

What questions are asked at the DLA Piper partner interview interview? 

1. Why do you want to work at DLA Piper? 
2. How do you deal with challenges or conflict?
3. What attributes do you think make someone a good lawyer?
4. Why do you want a job at this particular company rather than others operating in the same space? 

Now, let’s try answering one of these questions using expert interview preparation tips mentioned previously in this article. 

WHAT ATTRIBUTES DO YOU THINK MAKE SOMEONE A GOOD LAWYER?

Good Answer: 

A good lawyer possesses a blend of analytical prowess, effective communication skills, and ethical integrity. Strong research abilities, attention to detail, and a client-centred approach are essential. Resilience, creativity in problem-solving, and adept negotiation skills also contribute to success in the dynamic legal field. I continuously aim to develop these attributes in my practice, prioritizing client needs, ensuring clarity in communication, and maintaining a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards.

We also recommend asking your own intriguing and thought-provoking questions at the end of your interview. Here are some questions you may ask your employer: 

After this last stage of your DLA Piper assessment process, you will receive an offer letter after a week or two, once the employment checks and other formalities are done. 

If everything gets approved, you will be joining your dream job at DLA Piper. Congratulations!

But wait, before you go!

Are you a student looking for opportunities to kickstart your career with DLA Piper? We have got you covered! Below are some of the entry level career opportunities available at DLA Piper. Read on to find out more. 

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DLA Piper Early Careers

What early career opportunities does DLA Piper offer? 

DLA Piper offers various opportunities for students as well as fresh graduates to kickstart their career in the consulting industry. These career opportunities offered by DLA Piper are as follows: 

1. DLA Piper Apprenticeship Programme
2. DLA Piper Summer Internship Programme
3. DLA Piper International Trainee Programme

Let’s look further into these DLA early career opportunities below. 

1. DLA Piper Apprenticeship Programme

What is the DLA Piper apprenticeship programme? 

The DLA Piper apprenticeship programme is a 4-6 year learn while you earn programme that allows you to gain the experiences, skills and training to kick-start your career, in a supportive and inclusive environment. 

What job functions does the DLA Piper apprenticeship programme offer? 

The DLA Piper apprenticeship programme provides the following kinds of apprenticeships: 

1. DLA Piper Solicitor Apprenticeship 
2. DLA Piper Project Manager Apprenticeship 

How to apply to the DLA Piper Apprenticeship Programme? 

To be able to apply to the DLA Piper apprenticeship programme, you need to fulfil the eligibility criteria, i.e., the basic requirements of the same. 

DLA PIPER APPRENTICESHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

What are the eligibility criteria for the DLA Piper apprenticeship? 

DLA Piper does not have any academic requirements to apply for apprenticeships, however the tuition providers they work with do have minimum academic requirements.

• If you apply for the Solicitor Apprenticeship, you will need at least three C’s at A Level and Maths/English GCSE at Grade C or above (or equivalent qualifications)
• If you apply for the Project Manager Apprenticeship, you will need 120 UCAS points and grade C or above in English Language (or equivalent qualifications)
• For both programmes you must also have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for the last 3 years

Next, let’s discuss the DLA Piper Insight programme. 

2. DLA Piper Summer Internships

What is DLA Piper Summer Internship? 

The DLA Piper Summer Internship is a three-week paid programme that starts with a four-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in your chosen office location. This is the gateway to DLA Piper’s International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. 

Application dates for the DLA Piper Internship: The applications opened in September and they are still accepting applications on a rolling basis. However, the applications for the London office are closed now. 

The next very important early career opportunity by DLA Piper is the DLA Piper International Trainee Programme. Read on to find out more. 

3. DLA Piper International Trainee Programme

What is the DLA Piper International Trainee Programme? 

The DLA Piper International Trainee Programme also known as the DLA Piper graduate programme will be 2-year programmes across which you will undertake four, six-month rotations within practice groups, giving you breadth in your knowledge of the law as well as the practical skills.

 You may also get an opportunity to complete client secondments or international secondments as one of your rotations.

With this, we have provided you all the information to help you get into your dream company. Refer to the following FAQs section to gain more insights into the DLA Piper recruitment process.

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DLA Piper Recruitment FAQs