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Join a law firm that spans continents and cultures. With over 90 offices in more than 40 countries, we’re one global team. Collaborate with colleagues and clients worldwide on high-value work that shapes industries, markets and communities. Eligibity requirements apply for each location.
Discovery day
If you’re curious about life at DLA Piper, attending a discovery day is a great place to start. We're a world of opportunity, and the key to a global career.
Designed to help you prepare for the future, our immersive events introduce you to the legal sector, our practice groups, and industry sectors. You'll gain practical insights, develop professional skills, and build the confidence to take the next step in your career journey.
What to expect:
- Gain valuable perspectives from our senior leaders on how DLA Piper is helping clients navigate change and shape the future, while discovering where a career with us could take you.
- You'll step into the role of a commercial lawyer through an interactive litigation workshop, where you'll tackle real-world legal scenarios, developing your commercial awareness. You'll experience the collaborative and high-performance mindset that underpins our work.
- Connect with the people driving change at DLA Piper through dedicated networking opportunities, where you'll gain first-hand insight into the work we do, the culture we've built and the opportunities available at DLA Piper.
- Explore our market-leading practice areas and sectors, gaining insight into how our lawyers advise clients on complex and high-profile matters.
- Get ahead in the application process with practical guidance on our Summer Internship programme, including advice on assessments and how to showcase your potential.
Applications open on 21 September 2026.
Summer internship
You'll gain firsthand insight into the impact we make for clients across around the world, while building the foundations of a global legal career, working collaboratively with colleagues and clients on high-value matters that shape industries.
From day one, you'll be immersed in the reality of working at DLA Piper. From attending court hearings to working directly with clients and collaborating with leading professionals, you'll gain practical experience that goes far beyond shadowing. You'll be part of the team, trusted to contribute, take ownership and make a meaningful impact.
Throughout the programme, you'll discover how a global law firm combines legal expertise, business insight and innovation to help clients navigate complex challenges and seize new opportunities.
What you can expect
- Start your journey with an interactive induction in London, where you'll connect with fellow interns from across the programme and begin building your professional network from day one.
- Experience meaningful, hands-on work, gaining exposure to the complex matters our teams handle across industries and sectors.
- Work alongside talented colleagues and industry-leading clients, developing an understanding of how legal advice supports business strategy and decision-making.
- Accelerate your professional development through structured learning sessions designed to strengthen your commercial awareness, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Receive guidance from a dedicated network of supervisors, buddies and mentors who will guide, challenge and encourage you throughout your internship.
- Broaden your perspective beyond legal work by exploring areas such as legal technology, innovation, sustainability and Responsible Business, gaining insight into the many ways we create value for our clients and communities.
The programme runs across our Edinburgh, Northwest (Manchester), Yorkshire (Leeds), Birmingham, London, Dublin, Hong Kong and Dubai offices. Successful completion of the award-winning summer internship could lead to an offer of a place on our training contract.
Applications open on 21 September 2026. Apply through the DLA Piper early careers website.
Law, unlocked
Our Law, Unlocked event is designed for first-year law students and second-year non-law students looking to gain an early insight into a career at a global law firm.
Through interactive sessions and networking opportunities, you'll explore how curiosity, proactivity, collaboration and commercial thinking drive success at DLA Piper. You'll gain a deeper understanding of our work, develop your confidence, and discover the mindset needed to thrive in a dynamic and evolving legal landscape.
This is your chance to unlock new possibilities, broaden your perspective and take the first step towards a future with DLA Piper.
Throughout the event, you'll gain an insight into what makes DLA Piper a different kind of law firm.
What to expect:
- Explore how we work, think and effectively collaborate whilst building the skills and mindset that enable our people to make an impact on a global scale.
- Through an interactive commercial awareness workshop, you'll explore how we help clients navigate change, uncover new opportunities and respond to the challenges shaping today's world.
- As you connect with colleagues from across the firm, you'll gain insight into how self-motivation, curiosity, collaboration and resilience contribute to success in a global legal environment.
- You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions, strengthen your commercial awareness and learn more about our culture and early careers programmes.
By attending law, unlocked you'll also receive early access practical application and assessment advice from the Early Careers team, in advance of internship applications opening.
Applications open in January 2027.
Virtual job simulations
Through two expertly crafted simulations, these opportunities offer aspiring lawyers a unique opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience, that mirrors the work we do at DLA Piper across our offices around the world. This is an excellent chance for students to gain insight into the impactful and fast-paced world of a leading global law firm, working on real-world challenges from a global perspective.
We have two exciting simulations to share:
Mergers and ccquisitions for AI: This simulation explores high-stakes health tech acquisitions, including those involving advanced AI and machine learning. Students will see how we protect client interests in rapidly evolving sectors, gaining insight into navigating complex global M&A transactions in a dynamic commercial landscape.
Global cyber with data privacy: In this simulation, students will gain practical experience with data breach response, EU data privacy regulations, and ransomware-related legal risks. Participants will understand the legal considerations involved in advising clients on high-risk cyber incidents.
The simulations are free, self-paced, accessible 24/7 and a great way to hone your skillset, building confidence to prepare for job applications.
How to apply
earlycareers.dlapiper.comFollow us on
Applications to
Early Careers
Method of application
Employer application formMethod of assessment
- Assessment centre
- Psychometric testing
- Telephone interview
Opportunity, unlocked
Join a law firm that spans continents and cultures. With over 90 offices in more than 40 countries, we’re one global team. Collaborate with colleagues and clients worldwide on high-value work that shapes industries, markets and communities.
You’ll take ownership of meaningful and complex work – from innovative projects in energy and natural resources to financial services and life sciences and technology. You’ll be tackling challenges that matter, combining legal expertise with commercial insight to deliver real impact.
We adopt a high-performance mindset. Our people are recognised as leaders in their fields, known for their focus, drive and expertise. You’ll be expected to bring the same – showing initiative, asking questions, and pushing yourself to grow. Here, you’ll learn by doing, taking on responsibility early and discovering what high performance looks like in practice.
At DLA Piper, new ideas are always welcome. You’ll be encouraged to challenge assumptions, share your thinking and help us move the industry forward. Whether through our solicitor apprenticeship, summer internships or international training programme, you’ll be trusted with responsibility early on and supported to find your strengths.
This isn’t just preparation for a job. It’s an opportunity to grow your potential while helping us grow as a firm and to make an impact that lasts.
At DLA Piper, your career is shaped by the challenges you take on, the people you learn from and the impact you choose to make.
Unlock a career with a different kind of law firm.
Summer internship
Our 3–4-week paid summer Internship offers a unique opportunity to experience life at a leading global law firm while exploring the intersection of law, business and technology. You'll gain firsthand insight into the impact we make for clients across the UK and around the world, while building the foundations of a global legal career, working collaboratively with colleagues and clients on high‑value matters that shape industries.
From day one, you'll be immersed in the reality of working at DLA Piper. From attending court hearings to working directly with clients and collaborating with leading professionals, you'll gain practical experience that goes far beyond shadowing. You'll be part of the team, trusted to contribute, take ownership and make a meaningful impact.
Throughout the programme, you'll discover how a global law firm combines legal expertise, business insight and innovation to help clients navigate complex challenges and seize new opportunities.
What you can expect
- Start your journey with an interactive induction in London, where you'll connect with fellow interns from across the programme and begin building your professional network from day one.
- Experience meaningful, hands-on work, gaining exposure to the complex matters our teams handle across industries and sectors.
- Work alongside talented colleagues and industry-leading clients, developing an understanding of how legal advice supports business strategy and decision-making.
- Accelerate your professional development through structured learning sessions designed to strengthen your commercial awareness, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Receive guidance from a dedicated network of supervisors, buddies and mentors who will guide, challenge and encourage you throughout your internship.
- Broaden your perspective beyond legal work by exploring areas such as legal technology, innovation, sustainability and Responsible Business, gaining insight into the many ways we create value for our clients and communities.
The programme runs across our Edinburgh, Northwest (Manchester), Yorkshire (Leeds), Birmingham, London, Dublin, Hong Kong and Dubai offices. Successful completion of the award-winning summer internship could lead to an offer of a place on our training contract.
Eligibility
Summer internship and discovery days
- Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second year student on a three year course, a third year student on a four year course or a final year student.
- Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a final year student.
- Graduates and career changers are also eligible to apply.
- Open to students from any degree background.
- You can apply to both the discovery day and internship in the same application cycle, but only one location.
Law, unlocked
- You can apply if you're a first-year student on a three-year course or a second-year student on a four-year course.
At DLA Piper, learning and development begins from the moment you accept your offer. Before starting your training contract, you'll be sponsored to complete a Master's level SQE preparation programme, incorporating both SQE1 and SQE2. If you're joining from a non-law background, we'll also sponsor your law conversion course before you progress to SQE studies.
As a trainee, you’ll begin a global career that transcends traditional boundaries. You’ll be part of a firm that values proactivity, curiosity, collaboration and fresh perspectives, and encourages you to take ownership as you develop. Designed for those with a global mindset and an appreciation for local nuance, our training programme offers exposure to complex, cross-border work, diverse perspectives and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact from the outset.
Trainees begin their two-year programme with an immersive international induction week in London, connecting with peers and leaders from across the globe. Through interactive learning, networking and insight from senior leaders, you'll gain a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Trainees complete four six-month rotations across our busiest practice groups, building adaptability, curiosity and a breadth of legal expertise. You'll also have opportunities to broaden your perspective through client and international secondments, as well as placements within our Responsible Business team.
As a trainee, you'll work on high-profile, cross-border matters, working alongside colleagues and clients across jurisdictions. You'll be encouraged to think critically, take ownership of your work and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges for our clients.
Throughout the programme, you'll benefit from structured learning, regular feedback and ongoing guidance from our early careers team. Take ownership of your growth - developing the curiosity, adaptability and learning mindset needed to succeed in a fast-changing legal landscape.
By the end of your training contract, you'll be more than a lawyer. You'll be a trusted adviser with the confidence, commercial insight and global perspective to help shape the future of business and the legal profession.
At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.
- Corporate
- Employment
- Finance (projects & restructuring)
- Intellectual property & technology
- Litigation & regulatory
- Real estate
- Tax
- Client secondments
- International secondments
- Corporate & Commercial
Practice Areas
Extra info
Phone: 020 7349 0296
Email: [email protected]
Web: earlycareers.dlapiper.com
| Work placement: | Yes |
| Number of vacation scheme places: | 110 |
| Minimum qualification: | No minimum degree requirements |
| Fees paid for: |
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| Has client secondments: | Yes |
| Client secondments: |
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| Has overseas secondments: | Yes |
| Overseas secondments: |
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- Birmingham
- Edinburgh
- Manchester
- Leeds
- London
- Dublin
- Dubai
- Hong Kong
- Birmingham
- Dubai
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- Hong Kong
- Leeds
- London
- Manchester
- A4ID
- Advocate
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- iProbono
- London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
- PILnet (Public Interest Law)
- ProHelp
- The Baroness Hale Legal Clinic
- The King's Trust
- The Manuel Bravo Project
- TrustLaw
- UnLtd
- Bright Network
- Business Disability Forum
- City Century
- GROW Mentoring
- Mindful Business Charter
- MyPlus Consulting
- Pathways to Law
- PRIME
- Rare Recruitment
- Social Mobility Foundation
- Stonewall
- Sutton Trust
- The 93% Club
- upReach
- Uptree
