EARLY CAREERS in New Zealand

Discovery Day

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About this experience

If you’re curious about life at DLA Piper, attending our Discovery Day is a great place to learn more. We're a world of opportunity, and the key to a global career. 

Our Discovery Day will be held on 3 September 2026 in our Wellington and Auckland offices, with an option for virtual participation online. Please register your interest by clicking on the 'Apply' button above. Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2026.

At the event, you will:

  • Learn about DLA Piper and discover how we’re redefining what a global law firm can be.
  • See how we're focused more on shaping the future than protecting the past, as you learn about our practice groups and sectors and our approach to legal tech, responsible business and sustainability.
  • Experience what it's like to work at the firm by meeting our people – the trusted advisors, innovators and game-changers who go above and beyond to challenge the status quo.
  • Take part in educational sessions, curated to build your knowledge and skills and help you decide if a career in law is right for you.
  • Find out about our early careers programmes and get practical guidance on how to succeed in our application process.

By joining our Discovery Day, you'll be taking a step towards shaping your career.

We look forward to welcoming you and exploring how we can unlock your potential, together. 

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for people from a diverse range of backgrounds who have the potential to thrive at our firm.

Self-motivated and highly driven

Self-motivated and highly driven

You are proactive and strive for excellence. You pursue goals with purpose and determination, whether working independently or as part of a team.

Excitement for international law and business

Excitement for international law and business

You are curious about global legal developments, regulatory shifts and geopolitical trends.

Strong collaborator with social awareness

Strong collaborator with social awareness

You are an excellent communicator, active listener and team player who contributes to an inclusive, supportive work environment.

Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to challenge the norm

Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to challenge the norm

You think creatively, embrace new ideas and challenge conventional approaches. You thrive in challenging environments and aim to excel.

Ability to think critically, adapt and take ownership

Ability to think critically, adapt and take ownership

You have an ability to assess situations from multiple perspectives, adapt quickly to change and take responsibility for delivering exceptional results.

Growth mindset, seeing setbacks as opportunities

Growth mindset, seeing setbacks as opportunities

You are resilient, reflective, and always eager to learn, leveraging setbacks as an opportunity to sharpen your thinking.  

Download our brochure

Our dynamic environment encourages individuality, growth, and commercial excellence, offering complex, cross-border work that transcends legal systems. With a global network of talented professionals, you’ll gain international experience, support, and training while making a meaningful impact beyond traditional law.

Download our brochure

Download our brochure

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 us 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.

Accessibility
    Recruitment roadmap

    What to expect

    • Application form

      In your application you will need to include your CV, detailing your work experience, community involvement and outside interests and your academic transcript.

    • Confirmation

      We will contact you via email in early August to let you know if you have secured a place on our 2026 Discovery Day.

    • When and where?

      The Discovery Day will take place during the university break on 3 September 2026 and is held in our Wellington and Auckland offices, with an option for virtual participation online.

    What to expect
    Tayla McEntee, Senior Associate, Auckland

    DLA Piper offers global opportunities which are second to none, but the Auckland and Wellington offices still have a distinctly New Zealand feel. Our global presence allows us to have the opportunity to work with significant and well-known international clients, giving us excellent opportunities to work on the top international and domestic matters in New Zealand.

    Tayla McEntee
    Boston Flanagan-Connors, Associate, Wellington

    DLA Piper is one of the world’s leading law firms, and for good reason. DLA Piper’s lawyers and business services professionals are first class and produce the highest quality work on the market. Best of all, they are genuinely lovely people.

    Boston Flanagan-Connors
    Huma Shehzad, Solicitor, Auckland

    I’ve learned that every day brings something new. Since starting, I’ve gained significant confidence in my legal skills, from conducting research and writing emails to drafting court documents, and these abilities are consistently challenged. 

    Huma Shehzad
    Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram, Associate, Wellington

    Get stuck in! There are so many opportunities, and if you are willing to take every chance and do a great job, you will be given the autonomy to make it your own.

    Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram
    James Beasley, Solicitor, Wellington

    Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to develop, and the level of mentorship and support within the firm has been exceptional.

    James Beasley
    Hannah Retimana, Solicitor, Auckland

    DLA Piper’s global reach, combined with a strong domestic client base, sets it apart. I have had the opportunity to work with international clients while also supporting leading New Zealand organisations. This breadth of experience, alongside strong client relationships, makes the work both challenging and rewarding.

    Hannah Retimana
      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      Your questions,
      answered

      Our Discovery Day is designed to give you a look into what a career at DLA Piper is really like. You'll gain a great introduction to the legal sector and our practice groups. It will also help build your confidence and your professional skills.

      This opportunity is for students not yet eligible to apply for clerkships. The discovery day is open to students in their antepenultimate year of study. This equates to the third year of study for students completing a five-year degree.

      We are looking for individuals who can collaborate, be bold, supportive, and exceptional and are committed to learning more and pursuing a career with DLA Piper.

      Yes, the deadline is 5pm, Friday 31 July 2026.

      DLA Piper New Zealand collects, uses and discloses your personal information in accordance with our Privacy policy. That privacy policy incorporates our Recruitment-specific Privacy Notice.

      Please note that like many employers, we use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist us throughout the recruitment process. A human will always make the ultimate hiring decisions and your personal information will not be used to train any AI models. For more information on the AI tools we use in our recruitment process and how we will process your personal information in using those tools, see our AI Supplemental Privacy Notice.

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