Opportunity, unlocked

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be.

With over 90 offices in more than 40 countries, we offer global careers without limits. At DLA Piper, you’ll find the most interesting work, experience the riches of other cultures, and enjoy the complexity of an interconnected world.

We’re a different kind of law firm. We’re a firm where you’ll focus more on shaping the future than protecting the past. You’ll work in forward-looking teams to find creative solutions for clients.

We’re making an extraordinary impact, beyond the borders of traditional law. Looking forward, without forgetting how far we’ve come.

On our early careers programmes, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to give your career the best platform. You’ll have the opportunities to discover your own path and the support to help you along the way.

At DLA Piper, you’ll define the impact you make. Unlock your potential. Come and shape the future of law.

About this programme

Our three and a half week (four week if your apply to Hong Kong or Dubai), in-person paid summer internship will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in the UK and across the world.

Programme details

Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in the UK and across the world. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this, and more, on our internship in anoffice of your choice.

This isn’t just a chance to shadow our lawyers. You’ll play a real role in our teams and take on responsibility from day one. Whether attending court hearings, working with clients, or developing your professional network, you’ll experience the cutting edge of the legal sector. You'll discover how law can unlock potential across the world and in your own career. That includes seeing how a purpose-led organisation makes a difference through our pro bono work and sustainability commitments.

The internship is your chance to see if law is a career you can thrive in. Working across our practice groups and sectors, you’ll be giving your career the best platform by developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will support your professional growth.  

You’ll have the freedom to discover your own path and make an extraordinary impact beyond the borders of traditional law. Tomorrow’s legal industry can’t hire yesterday’s skills. Unlock your potential and start your journey to building a different kind of legal career.

Come and show us your strengths in action, and following your time with us you may be offered a place on our international training programme. Please note: you’ll be considered for a position on the international training programme in the office you undertake the summer internship in.

For our summer internship, we recruit interns into the following offices – Visit our website for more information.

Birmingham

Edinburgh

Leeds

London

Manchester

Dublin

Hong Kong

Dubai

Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in the UK and across the world. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more on our two-year international training programme.

As a trainee, you'll embark on a global career that transcends traditional boundaries. You'll contribute to a firm that embraces new ideas and fosters progress. With a focus on shaping the future of law, you will engage in work that is as diverse as the world we live in.

The international training programme is designed for those who possess a global mindset and appreciate the nuances of local contexts. Here, you will engage in the most stimulating work, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.

At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. 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.

We support anyone with a disability or long term health condition to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

Agile working

We know that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PGDL: £12,500 London and £8,750 outwith
SQE grant: £17,000 London and £12,000 outwith

• Corporate
• Employment
• Finance (projects & restructuring)
• Intellectual property & technology
• Litigation & regulatory
• Real estate
• Tax
• Client secondments
• International secondments

• Corporate & Commercial

• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Manchester
• Leeds
• London
• Sheffield
• Manchester
• Dublin
• Dubai
• Hong Kong

• A4ID
• Advocate
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• i-Probono
• London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
• PILnet (Public Interest Law)
• Prince’s Trust
• ProHelp
• The Baroness Hale Legal Clinic
• The Manuel Bravo Project
• TrustLaw Connect
• UnLtd

• Pathways to Law
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Stonewall
• Sutton Trust
• The 93% Club
• upReach
• Uptree