We actively encourage people from non-law backgrounds to join the team. This brings a holistic and multi-faceted approach to the service we deliver. We have team members with backgrounds in education, politics, civil service, and more, all of whom have trained as negotiators within DRS. These different professional experiences bring fresh perspectives and mindsets, which strengthens both the way we work and the service we provide.

Our company book club is a fun and welcoming group where we come together each month to share ideas and opinions. At every meeting, we chat about the book we read over the past month; what we loved, what surprised us, and sometimes what we didn’t enjoy! Then, we pick our next read from a list of recommendations, with the final choice made at random to keep things exciting and fair. It’s a great way to discover new books and connect with colleagues.

Working alongside colleagues from different countries and backgrounds creates a natural environment of curiosity and continuous learning. We actively encourage this through initiatives like our Breakfast Club training sessions, where team members often present on domestic agreements or country-specific topics, giving all negotiators access to, or at the very least awareness of, practices and frameworks they might not otherwise encounter.

One of the standout qualities of DRS is the international composition of the company and the impact this has on our culture. Our employees bring a wide variety of languages, cultures and professional backgrounds. This diversity directly shapes the quality of our work, the breadth of our offering and the culture. Our team speaks French, Greek, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Bulgarian, and more, which positions us to work on domestic master agreements such as French FBFs, ARGs, and FBF PLs, German DRVs, Chinese NAFMIIs, and others, engaging directly with local-law agreements across these markets.

DRS’ social events are second to none! From culture walks to learn the history of our beloved toon to bake offs to show who would earn that Paul Hollywood handshake,  I have found the social events to be a fantastic way to engage with the wider team and develop stronger working relationships in a relaxed setting. The activities are always enjoyable and provide a welcome opportunity to unwind and have fun after work. I have also had the opportunity to host my own murder mystery social with the support of HR, who always encourage us to get involved where we can!