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Ready to shape your future with DLA Piper? Here’s everything you need to know about the next steps.
What we look for
Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds. That's what sets us apart. Not only does this allow us to serve our diverse clients better; it opens up a range of different and unique perspectives.
You should have a real passion for developing a career as a lawyer. Beyond this, we look for candidates who are naturally inquisitive, have plenty of drive, and can show a genuine commitment to pursuing a career at DLA Piper.
Your personal qualities will be important too. For our early-careers roles we utilise a strengths-based recruitment process. This allows us to build an understanding of your capabilities and the things that energise you.
Application timeline
Apply online
Complete our online application form and upload a copy of your CV. This should showcase your acheivements and experiences. Additionally, you'll be asked to complete a written response to a commercial awareness question. We don’t require you to submit a cover letter. These are not reviewed. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Watson Glaser assessment
Once your application is fully submitted, you’ll be invited to complete the Watson Glaser critical thinking assessment. The assessment measures your ability to think critically and logically. These are key skills that predict success in our trainee solicitors. We strongly encourage you to take the practice assessment. The actual assessment is untimed.
Telephone interview
For our Solicitor and Paralegal Apprenticeships, you'll be invited to complete a short telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to understand your motivation for applying to DLA Piper and to get to know you better. This stage does not apply for our Summer Internship or Graduate Programme.
Assessment day
If you are invited to an assessment day, you'll take part in a series of exercises including a strengths-based interview, analysis presentation and a group exercise. There is no preparation required before you attend the assessment day.
Summer Internship
During the Summer Internship, you'll be assessed for a place on the firms Graduate Programme (Training Contract).
Graduate Programme
If succesful on the Summer Internhip, you'll be offered a role on the firms Graduate Programme (Training Contract).
Application Information
We welcome applications from all degree disciplines. There are no minimum academic requirements for any of our UK programmes.
Insight programme
Applications open: Monday 29 November 2021
Applications close: 17.00 (GMT), Friday 28 January 2022
Summer Summer Internship
Applications open: Monday 6 September 2021
Applications close: 17.00 (GMT), Friday 31 December 2021
Graduate Programme (Training Contract)
All vacancies for our 2022 and 2023 training contracts have been filled and as a result, we will not be opening for applications this year.
When submitting your education, please refer to official examination results and degree transcripts to ensure no errors are made. You will be asked to provide all copies of transcripts during the recruitment process.
If you are applying for our insight programme, please provide your predicted/anticipated predicted grade.
We will take any mitigating circumstances relating to your academic record into consideration, provided they have been submitted and approved by your examination board or the relevant examining body. Please provide full details of your mitigating circumstances within the application form, ensuring you provide written proof from the relevant academic institution and verification by a third party such as your doctor or tutor.
We are committed to employing people with disability at DLA Piper. Our workforce is best when it draws on diverse skills and experiences.
We strongly encourage you to share any adjustments that will support your participation in our recruitment process. If you do share this with us, we can help with any reasonable adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process. The information you provide will only be reviewed by the graduate recruitment team and will not be shared further without your consent.
If you do require adjustments at any stage of our application process please share this information in your application form. Alternatively, please contact a member of the graduate recruitment team (graduaterecruitment@dlapiper.com). Our team will then contact you to understand how we can best support you.
DLA Piper was a founding legal industry member of MyPlus Students Club. You can read more about our partnership here.