DLA Piper

Next deadline

2027 Discovery Day - London · 5 Oct 2026

(14 days)

In their own words

Success, solved. Where do you want to be tomorrow? Our people will get you there with cutting-edge legal and commercial solutions.

Snapshot

Firm type

International

UK offices

London, Scotland, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber

International offices

76 international offices, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Vancouver, Melbourne, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Milan, Munich, Paris, Vienna, Buenos Aires, Mexico City

Training contract places

Vacation scheme places

Not disclosed

First-year salary

Regional UK - £35,500, London - £55,000

Second-year salary

Regional UK - £39,000, London - £60,000

Newly qualified salary

Regional UK - £89,000, London - £140,000

Trainee retention

Not disclosed

SQE support

Yes

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Holiday allowance

28 days

Typical secondment locations

All offices and clients (rotational basis)

Office attendance policy

In office attendance required

Recruitment route

Via summer internship only

Recruitment screening

Non-rolling

Seat structure

4 six-month long seats

Can trainees repeat seats?

Yes

Can trainees express seat preference?

Yes, but cannot guarantee preferences

Non-law applicants

Actively encouraged

Career changer applicants

Actively encouraged

Minimum academic requirements

2:1 minimum degree or equivalent

Solicitor apprenticeship

Offered

Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Are you excited by the prospect of collaborating with large, multidisciplinary teams across different offices, jurisdictions and time zones?

Will you thrive in a training environment that provides structured support while empowering you to take ownership and build responsibility for your career from the outset?

Are you prepared to do the hard work that comes with building a legal career, including the detailed, often behind-the-scenes tasks that are essential to delivering excellent client service?

Next deadline

2027 Discovery Day - London

5 Oct 2026

(14 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Over 90 offices across 40 countries

What this could mean for you

You'll gain exposure to the highest quality work for a diverse range of clients, from innovative growth businesses to multinational corporations. This breadth of experience will help you build the adaptability and client focus needed to deliver outstanding results on matters that shape industries, markets and communities around the world.

Practice area strengths

Corporate

In Corporate, DLA Piper is recognised as one of the most active M&A advisers globally, acting on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, private equity investments and corporate reorganisations. Clients range from multinational corporates to private equity houses and emerging technology companies. Trainees can expect to undertake due diligence, draft ancillary transaction documents, manage completion processes whilst coordinating with lawyers across multiple jurisdictions. Matters frequently involve clients operating in sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services and energy, providing exposure to both legal and commercial considerations shaping major business decisions.

Finance

In Finance, DLA Piper advises banks, private credit funds, borrowers and investors on leveraged finance, debt capital markets, project finance, structured finance and real estate finance transactions. Trainees assist with reviewing finance documents, preparing conditions precedent, managing transaction documentation and supporting deal closings. The work often supports acquisitions, infrastructure developments, renewable energy projects and large-scale real estate investments, giving trainees insight into how businesses and projects are financed on a global scale.

Litigation & Regulatory

Within Litigation & Regulatory, DLA Piper advises multinational corporates, financial institutions, technology companies and energy businesses on commercial disputes, regulatory investigations and international arbitration. Given the firm's global footprint, matters frequently involve cross-border issues, multiple jurisdictions and complex regulatory frameworks. Trainees often assist with legal research, drafting submissions and client communications, preparing hearing bundles and managing disclosure exercises. This work provides exposure to the strategic and risk-management aspects of legal disputes, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as financial services, technology and energy, where legal, commercial and reputational considerations are closely interconnected.

Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself

Are you excited by the prospect of collaborating with large, multidisciplinary teams across different offices, jurisdictions and time zones?
Will you thrive in a training environment that provides structured support while empowering you to take ownership and build responsibility for your career from the outset?
Are you prepared to do the hard work that comes with building a legal career, including the detailed, often behind-the-scenes tasks that are essential to delivering excellent client service?

This firm may suit candidates who...

Are motivated to take ownership of their development, embracing early responsibility and exposure while making the most of opportunities to accelerate their growth.
Want to make the most of the firm's One UK approach, gaining exposure to leading clients, cross-office collaboration and complex matters that span jurisdictions and sectors.
Want to develop a deep understanding of the sectors that interest them most, from emerging technologies and AI to financial institutions and global markets.

An honest reflection

"There will be busy periods, steep learning curves and moments where you're challenged to think differently and develop new skills that might push you out of your comfort zone. The reality is that training at DLA Piper is ambitious, it is fast-paced, it is intellectually stimulating, and if you are prepared to embrace that challenge, then you'll come away with an invaluable experience." - International Early Careers Talent Acquisition Specialist at DLA Piper

Work-life reality

Work-life balance varies by team, seat and transaction cycle. This section is designed to help you understand the pattern, not reduce the experience to a score.

Seat variation

4 seats, 6 months long

Support

The firm offers wellbeing support for trainees, including mental health first aiders, subsidised gym membership, private health and dental insurance, and a full EAP programme. The firm also offers maternity, paternity and any return-to-work support.

Flexibility

Formal remote working policy

Holiday allowance

28 days

Office attendance

Office attendance is required for trainees

Application process

Realistic Job Preview

What happens

An optional interactive experience designed to show what working at DLA Piper is really like.

Online Application

What happens

A short online application form capturing key data, including university degree and grades.

Online Test

(This is untimed.)

What happens

This is designed to be intuitive and easy to complete, with no preparation or practice required. A short set of warm-up questions at the start will help you become familiar with the format.

Virtual Case Study

(60 mins)

What happens

The case study will provide DLA Piper with deeper insight into how you analyse complex information to make clear, robust recommendations. You will first have 45 minutes to independently review a set of materials, followed by 15 minutes of live discussion with an assessor.

Assessment Centre

In their own words

Snapshot

Before you apply

Deep dive

What makes it different

Who it may suit

Work-life reality

Application process

Opportunities

2027 Discovery Day - London

2027 Discovery Day - Northwest

2027 Discovery Day - Yorkshire

2027 Discovery Day - Birmingham

2027 Discovery Day - Edinburgh

2027 Summer Internship - London

Virtual Job Simulation

2027 Summer Internship - Regional UK

2027 Summer Internship - Hong Kong

2027 Summer Internship - Dubai

2027 Summer Internship - Dublin

Insights

DLA Piper - A day in the life of a trainee

What is it like to work as a lawyer at DLA Piper?

My International Secondment: An Invaluable Opportunity