DLA Piper opportunities
At DLA Piper, innovation and challenging the status quo are the vital spark to how they think and what they do. Together, DLA Piper create exceptional experiences, outcomes and growth for their clients and people.
DLA Piper make this happen with a culture where graduates bring their passion and individuality to work every day.
DLA Piper is a global business law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries, with over 90 offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
DLA Piper help clients succeed through innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Their clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises, start-ups, public sector bodies and governments. DLA Piper’s sector groups cover the full range of business law services.
In today’s world, environmental, social and governance issues are of critical importance to business. At DLA Piper they are helping clients transition to, and thrive in, a more sustainable future. They ask tough questions about purpose and transparency and find the answers together.
DLA Piper are also looking for opportunities to integrate sustainability into their governance, decision-making and operations. DLA Piper ensure their people have the right resources and support they need to perform and deliver at their best for clients.
DLA Piper are connected with their people, clients and communities in everything they do. They live by four values:
- Be Supportive: We care about others, value diversity and act thoughtfully.
- Be Bold: We stand tall and challenge ourselves to think big.
- Be Collaborative: We give, we share and we join in.
- Be Exceptional: We exceed standards and expectations.
University of Edinburgh, Careers in Law on Wednesday 25 October 2023.
DLA Piper will attending carious events over the next few months. Visit the DLA Piper website to find out more. [external link]
About this programme
Discover what it truly means to be a part of a global law firm with DLA Piper's Insight Programme. Immerse yourself in practical workshops, panel discussions and much more.
DLA Piper's Insight Programme onsite Insight Programme offers students an insight into life at a global law firm. The programme includes:
- An insight to DLA Piper, their practice groups and their global scale and reach in the legal sector
- An interactive legal case-study
- Professional skills training, including advice on how to excel in their application process
- The opportunity to meet senior representatives and current trainees.
The 2024 Insight Programme will be hosted during the Easter break in DLA Piper's London office.
This programme is perfect for those that are interested in finding out more about DLA Piper and their Summer Internship programme.
Furthermore, upon completion you will qualify to submit a priority application for a Summer 2025 Internship at any of their participating offices, provided you have the right to work in your chosen location.
Am I eligible?
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a first-year student on a three-year course or a second-year student on a four year course
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three year course or a third-year student on a four year course
- Open to students from any degree background at universities across the UK and Ireland. Please note if you are studying abroad at the time of Insight Programme you will need to have the right to work in the UK.
Key dates
- Programme runs: Spring 2024
- Deadline: DLA Piper recruit on a rolling basis, and therefore encourage early applications. Once they have enough applications for the Insight Programme applications will close.
Click here to apply for UK Insight Programme [external site]
About this programme
Discover what it truly means to be a part of a global law firm with DLA Piper's Insight Programme. Immerse yourself in practical workshops, panel discussions and much more.
The DLA Piper Insight Programme brings together university students from across the UK and Ireland who are interested in a career in Law. The students who attend the programme are from a mix of different universities and degree backgrounds, providing you with the opportunity to network with other likeminded individuals in DLA Piper London office.
DLA Piper's onsite Insight Programme offers students an insight into life at a global law firm. The programme includes:
- An insight to DLA Piper, their practice groups and their global scale and reach in the legal sector
- An interactive legal case-study
- Professional skills training, including advice on how to excel in our application process
- The opportunity to meet senior representatives and current trainees
The 2024 Insight Programme will be hosted during the Easter break in DLA Piper's London office.
This programme is perfect for those that are interested in finding out more about DLA Piper and their Summer Internship programme.
Furthermore, upon completion of the program you will qualify to submit a priority application for a Summer 2025 Internship at any of their participating offices, provided you have the right to work in your chosen location.
Am I eligible?
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a first-year student on a three-year course or a second-year student on a four year course
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three year course or a third-year student on a four year course
- Open to students from any degree background at universities across the UK and Ireland. Please note if you are studying abroad at the time of Insight Programme you will need to have the right to work in the UK.
Key dates
- Programme runs: Spring 2024
- Deadline: DLA Piper recruit on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications. Once they have enough applications for the Insight Programme applications will close.
Find out more about the Dublin Insight Programme [external site]
Gain first-hand experience of working at DLA Piper with their in-person Summer Internship. DLA Piper's three-week paid programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in your chosen office location. This is the gateway to their International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. DLA Piper only recruit trainees through the Summer Internship.
About the UK Summer Intrernship
DLA Piper's Summer Internship is designed to give you insight to what life at DLA Piper is really like. The three-week programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in your chosen office location.
The induction will allow you to meet new people and hear from senior members of the firm, as well as current Trainees and Associates. You will discover more about the firm's practice groups and sectors, their approach to radical change and technology, as well as diversity, equality, and inclusion. You will also spend time building your professional skills and workplace capabilities to ensure you have the best internship experience possible.
You'll spend your second and third weeks of the Internship undertaking work experience across two of their practice groups in your chosen office location. DLA Piper will do their best to allocate your placements based on your preferences, which you can share with them in advance.
For the summer of 2024 year DLA Piper will be recruiting interns into the following UK offices:
- Birmingham [external site]
- Edinburgh [external site]
- Leeds [external site]
- London [external site]
- Manchester [external site]
The internship is your chance to show DLA Piper your strengths in actions and following your time with DLA Piper you may be offered a place on their International Trainee Programme (Training Contract) [external site]. Please note: You will be considered for a training contract offer in the office you undertake the Summer Internship in.
Summer Internship - DLA Piper Early Careers [external site]
DLA are no longer accepting applications for the London Summer Internship 2024 role.
Gain first-hand experience of working at DLA Piper with their in-person Summer Internship. DLA Piper's three-week paid programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in the Dublin office. This is the gateway to their International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. DLA Piper only recruit trainees through the summer internship.
About the Dublin Summer Internship Programme
DLA Piper's Summer Internship is designed to give you insight to what life at DLA Piper is really like. The three-week programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in the Dublin office.
The induction will allow you to meet new people and hear from, senior members of the firm, as well as current Trainees and Associates. You will discover more about the firm’s practice groups and sectors, their approach to radical change and technology, as well as diversity, equality, and inclusion. You will also spend time building your professional skills and workplace capabilities to ensure you have the best internship experience possible.
You'll spend your second and third weeks of the Internship undertaking work experience across two of their practice groups in the Dublin office. DLA Piper will do their best to allocate your placements based on your preferences, which you can share with them in advance.
The internship is your chance to show DLA Piper your strengths in actions and following your time with them you may be offered a place on their International Trainee Programme (Training Contract) [external site]. Please note: You will be considered for a training contract offer in the office you undertake the Summer Internship in.
Am I eligible?
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three-year course or a third-year student on a four-year course.
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study.
- You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate or career changer.
- DLA Piper welcome applications from all degree disciplines but only one application can be made per year.
- You must have the right to work for the duration of the programme (35 hours a week) in the Dublin office. DLA Piper is unable to sponsor visas for the Summer Internship Programme.
Key dates
Applications close: DLA Piper review applications on a rolling basis, and therefore will close when they have enough applications to fill the role. They encourage early applications to avoid missing out.
Applicants will be assessed for a place on the International Training Programme, commencing in Autumn 2026.
Find out more about and apply for the Dublin Internship Programme [external site]
Gain first-hand experience of working at DLA Piper with their in-person Summer Internship. DLA Piper's three-week paid programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in the Dubai office. This is the gateway to their International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. DLA Piper only recruit trainees through the Summer Internship.
About the Dubai Summer Internship Programme
DLA Piper's Summer Internship is designed to give you insight to what life at DLA Piper is really like. The three-week programme starts with a 4-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in the Dubai office.
The induction will allow you to meet new people and hear from senior members of the firm, as well as current Trainees and Associates. You will discover more about the firm’s practice groups and sectors, their approach to radical change and technology, as well as diversity, equality, and inclusion. You will also spend time building your professional skills and workplace capabilities to ensure you have the best internship experience possible.
You'll spend your second and third weeks of the Internship undertaking work experience across two of their practice groups in in the Dubai office. DLA Piper will do their best to allocate your placements based on your preferences, which you can share with them in advance.
The internship is your chance to show us DLA Piper your strengths in actions and following your time with them you may be offered a place on their International Trainee Programme (Training Contract) [external site]. Please note: You will be considered for a training contract offer in the office you undertake the Summer Internship in.
Am I eligible?
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three-year course or a third-year student on a four-year course.
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study.
- You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate or career changer.
- DLA Piper welcome applications from all degree disciplines but only one application can be made per year.
- You must have the right to work for the duration of the programme (35 hours a week) in the Dubai office. DLA Piper is unable to sponsor visas for the Summer Internship Programme.
Key dates
Applications close: DLA Piper review applications on a rolling basis, and therefore will close when they have enough applications to fill the role. They encourage early applications to avoid missing out.
Applicants will be assessed for a place on the International Training Programme, commencing in Autumn 2026.
Find out more about and apply for the Dubai Internship Programme [external site]
Gain first-hand experience of working at DLA Piper with their in-person four-week Summer Internship. This internship is the gateway to their International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. DLA Piper only recruit trainees through the summer internship.
About the Hong Kong Summer Internship Programme
You'll spend your four-week Internship undertaking work experience across two of DLA Piper's practice groups in the Hong Kong office. DLA Piper will do their best to allocate your placements based on your preferences, which you can share with them in advance. During the four-weeks and across their practice groups, you will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic work across a range of their sectors.
Throughout the programme you will do more than simply shadow their lawyers – you will be given real responsibilities. Whether you are attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting, or expanding your professional network, there will be plenty of opportunities to discover your potential.
The internship is your chance to show us your strengths in actions and following your time with DLA Piper you may be offered a place on their International Trainee Programme (Training Contract) [external site]. Please note: You will be considered for a training contract offer in the office you undertake the Summer Internship in.
Am I eligible?
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three-year course or a third-year student on a four-year course.
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study.
- You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate, career changer and/or have already completed the PCLL.
- DLA Piper welcome applications from all degree disciplines but only one application can be made per year.
- You must have the right to work for the duration of the programme (35 hours a week) in Hong Kong. DLA Piper is unable to sponsor visas for the Summer Internship programme.
- You must have achieved, or be on track to achieving, either a 2:1 or 3.0 GPA minimum.
Key Dates
Applications close: DLA Piper review applications on a rolling basis, and therefore will close when they have enough applications to fill the role. They encourage early applications to avoid missing out.
Applicants will be assessed for a place on the International Trainee Programme, commencing in Autumn 2025 or 2026.
Find out more about and apply for the Hong Kong Internship Programme [external site]
DLA Piper recruit all trainees directly from their vacation scheme.
Hosted by DLA Piper, the world's largest integrated law firm and a number of its key clients, the Sustainability Moot is run in conjunction with the UN Conference of the Parties (COP). This first of its kind moot competition is targeted at law schools in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
There are a very limited number of remaining spaces available.
The Sustainability Moot offers students:
- exposure to COP and the forefront of international decision making on issues relating to sustainability;
- exposure to DLA Piper and its lawyers;
- exposure to a number of the world’s top 100 multi-national enterprises and NGOs;
- an unparalleled platform for networking, fostering lifelong connections, and forming lasting professional relationships, across international borders;
- the opportunity to grapple with and debate complex legal issues of increasing global significance.
Format of the Sustainability Moot
- There is no entry fee for the Sustainability Moot.
- Each team will consist of a Junior and Senior Counsel.
- No written briefs or memorials are required.
- Each university is permitted to enter a maximum of 2 teams into the competition.
- DLA Piper will host a virtual masterclass in the week commencing 2 October 2023 for competing teams.
- The competition will begin in the week commencing 9 October 2023.
- The initial rounds up to and including the semi-final will be held remotely in a sustainable manner.
- The final will be held in the week commencing 27 November 2023 in Dubai. DLA Piper will fund the travel and accommodation costs of competing finalists.
Following the final, the winning team will be offered the opportunity to attend a Delegate’s Event for COP28, to be confirmed nearer to the time, at DLA Piper’s expense (including the costs of extending accommodation or rebooking travel).
Entries and Queries
If you know of any interested parties, or are interested in entering yourself, we would be pleased to hear from you. However, please ensure entries are centrally managed, and there is a central point of contact for your university for logistics moving forward.
Please RSVP and direct any queries to sustainabilitymoot@dlapiper.com, with Ross Wilson (ross.wilson@dlapiper.com) and Lamice Nasr (lamice.nasr@dlapiper.com) in copy by close of play (17.00 GMT), Tuesday 26 September 2023.