EARLY CAREERS
Graduate programme
About this programme
We offer graduate positions across all our DLA Piper offices in Australia. During your graduate programme, you’ll experience three six-month rotations throughout our seven different practice areas to gain a broad range of experience. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a rotation in our responsible business or business advisory teams, giving you breadth in your knowledge of the law as well as the practical skills that will stay with you for your entire career.
Programme details
Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in Australia and around the world. Develop the skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more on our 18-month graduate programme.
As a graduate, you'll start a global career that transcends traditional boundaries. You'll be part of a firm that embraces new ideas and fosters progress. With a focus on shaping the future of law, you'll do work that's as diverse as the world we live in.
The graduate programme is designed for people who have a global mindset and appreciate the nuances of local contexts. You'll do the most stimulating work, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.
On the graduate programme, you will:
- complete three, six-month rotations in our practice groups. You'll also have placement opportunities in our responsible business and business advisory teams.
- be at the forefront of legal innovation, working on high-profile, cross-border projects that will shape the future of law and business. You’ll see how we think across borders to find creative solutions for our clients;
- join a forward-looking, friendly team while collaborating with colleagues around the world to drive results you're proud of;
- develop your knowledge and skills through structured learning and development opportunities in our supportive culture;
- be supported by a strong network of supervisors, buddies, and mentors to develop your confidence and identify your own personal and professional goals;
- have a dedicated early careers programme manager who will work with you to ensure your journey on the programme reflects your career aspirations;
- be part of an international early careers community of talented colleagues who’ll become part of your global network;
- have opportunities to engage with initiatives beyond your role, including getting involved with our people networks, legal tech, sustainability and pro bono work;
- enjoy a working environment where your wellbeing is always a priority and your workload is managed so you can always deliver your best; and
- emerge from the programme not just as a qualified lawyer, but as a global business advisor equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving world.
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 building a different kind of legal career.
What do we look for?
We’re looking for people from a diverse range of backgrounds who have the potential to thrive at our firm.
You will need to have completed a law degree at an Australian university to be eligible for our programme and you will:
- have an interest in international law and business;
- have a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset and be excited about doing things differently in the legal industry;
- be self-motivated by a strong desire to achieve your personal and professional goals;
- enjoy collaborating with others and be instinctively socially aware;
- have a growth mindset so you see setbacks as learning opportunities, and you’ll proactively look for ways to grow and develop;
- enjoy working in an ever-changing environment; and
- enjoy taking ownership of tasks and thinking critically.
Recruitment roadmap
Please refer to our clerkship programmes for an outline of our clerkship recruitment process.
Accessibility
At DLA Piper, we are committed to making reasonable adjustments and removing disability-related barriers. This is so everyone, irrespective of a visible or non-visible disability, neurodivergence, a long-term health condition or injury, has an equitable opportunity to succeed in our recruitment process.
If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please get in touch with our Early Careers team and we will be happy to support you.
We understand that sharing your needs with us may feel daunting. We will have an open discussion with you about what will work best for you in the recruitment process, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with. Our team will ensure that the information you provide will be treated confidentially. The information will only be shared with others involved in the process, on your approval, and where necessary.
We will use the information you share to put adjustments in place for you at any stage, or at multiple stages, of the recruitment process. This is to enable you to perform to the best of your ability, and to have an equitable opportunity to perform and thrive.
Tom Keyser, Solicitor, Brisbane
You hear a lot about the international aspects of a firm like DLA Piper. It was not until I joined the firm that I appreciated how broad and active the international network was. In my first year working in Corporate, I was regularly in contact with clients and colleagues from all around the globe.
Joanne Wang, Graduate, Melbourne
I joined DLA Piper as a paralegal, then completed a clerkship, and now I am a graduate. The firm’s mentoring culture really stands out! Mentoring happens every day.
Carol Lin, Graduate, Sydney
DLA Piper is not just another global law firm; it truly operates as a global team within which I feel supported to pursue my career and personal goals.
Cassian Ho, Senior Associate, Sydney
No matter how excellent any individual is, success is achieved through working as a team. In my view, DLA Piper’s team culture is great, and there is a real emphasis on ensuring that we’re friends as well as colleagues.
Elliott Cheung, Partner, Sydney
At DLA Piper, I have always felt part of a global community rather than simply part of a local office. The firm offers international travel opportunities at all career stages. I was lucky to have participated in some of these.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions,
answered
We offer approximately 25 graduate positions across Australia each year.
The graduate programme starts in mid-February for all graduates nationally.
As a global firm, we offer a range of international opportunities supporting you to develop a global mindset, share knowledge and work collaboratively across borders. This includes the types of matters and clients that our clerks and graduates work on, as well as the international experiences our people participate in, such as international conferences, secondment opportunities andlearning and development opportunities.
We are committed to providing our colleagues with the opportunity to experience working internationally. Secondments benefit our clients, our business and our people. We offer both short and long term secondment opportunities and launched the New Deal in 2022 which has 4 global secondment programmes that colleagues can participate in.
We prioritise opportunities for our lawyers at the 1 – 3 year level to have an international experience as we understand that living and working in a new location and experiencing a new culture provides fantastic personal and career opportunities.
If you complete our clerkship, you’ll be considered for a graduate position. We fill all of our graduate positions through priority offers made to candidates completing our clerkship in the year prior.
No, you can only apply to one position in one office each year.
You should apply for a clerkship in the office where you would like to complete your graduate programme.
No, we have no minimum academic entry criteria.
Unfortunately not. Eligibility for our early careers programmes in Australia is limited to people studying Australian law degrees.
Unfortunately, no. Current eligibility for our early careers programmes in Australia is limited to Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
You’ll need to provide evidence of your academic achievements (e.g. exam certificates/transcripts) when submitting your online application.
Yes. There are practice assessments online, which we encourage you to complete before sitting the assessment.
Yes, we encourage you to detail any mitigating circumstances on your application. You may be asked to produce documentary evidence.
Please contact our Early Careers team who’ll be happy to help.
Life at DLA Piper
Our culture empowers everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. With the resources to seize opportunities, discover your path, and realise our potential together, see how we support you.
Innovation
Law& combines law and innovation to create value, delivering efficient legal services and unlocks transformative change. Join our creative, growing team to help leaders harness innovation and efficiency to achieve their goals together.
Job Search
Explore career opportunities across our international locations, find your perfect role, and join a team where innovation, diversity, and growth are at the heart of everything we do.