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EARLY CAREERS in Belgium

Summer internship

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Kickstart your legal career

Our one month, in-person paid summer internship will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in Belgium and around the world. Explore the intersection of law and business, take on real responsibilities from day one, and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need for a global legal career. Attend court hearings, work with clients, and grow your professional network while seeing how a purpose-led organisation makes a real difference through pro bono work and sustainability commitments. Give your career the best platform and discover if law is the right path for you.

Once you've completed your internship, you could be offered a place on the bar traineeship. Please note: you’ll be considered for a position on the bar traineeship in the office where you do your summer internship.

Download more information

Kickstart your legal career

What you will do

  • Experience the complexities of our work and discover how you can make a real impact around the world
  • Choose your preferred practice groups when you apply and will try to assign you to one of these for the programme 
  • Join a forward-looking, friendly team while collaborating with colleagues around the world
  • Get structured learning and mentorship, while building your network
  • Explore further interests like legal, tech, sustainability and pro bono work
  • Thrive in a supportive environment that prioritises your wellbeing
What you will do

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.  

Are you eligible?

You’ll need to be a strong English speaker, reader and writer, and will be fluent in either Dutch or French. Also: 

You’ll be a current Master of law student at a Belgian university.

If you’re applying for EU competition law, global trade or government affairs, you’ll be a Master of law student at any university within the EU (a Belgian degree is not mandatory).

You’ll have a consistently strong academic record.

You’ll have the right to work in Belgium for the duration of the programme (38 hours per week). We are unable to sponsor visas for the internship.

Only one application can be made per year.

Key dates

  • Applications open: 26 August 2024

  • Application deadline: We don’t have a specific deadline and we recruit on a rolling basis. So, we'd encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

  • Internship duration: One month

  • Internship start date: 1st working day of the month in July and August 2025. 

Key dates

Brussels office hosts discovery days

Over 45 students attending our discovery days learned how we're a world of opportunity, and the key to a global career. 

Brussels office hosts discovery days

Brussels office hosts rooftop event

Over 50 students joined our annual rooftop networking event in our Brussels office to meet with and learn from our Partners and lawyers.

Brussels office hosts rooftop event

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.

Accessibility
    Recruitment roadmap

    What to expect

    • Application form

      Our application form will capture some key information about yourself and will also ask you to submit answers to our application questions regarding your motivations to apply to DLA Piper. We will also ask you to submit a CV and provide your academic transcripts. 

    • Online assessment

      The Watson Glaser online assessment is untimed and to be completed at your own pace. However, you must complete your assessment within five working days of receiving the link. There are various practice Watson Glaser assessments available online and we would recommend spending some time practising these to familiarise yourself with the types of questions you may be asked. You will also be sent a link from us with a further practice assessment you can take before undertaking the final assessment.

    • Assessment centre

      The final stage is an assessment centre. It will comprise of exercises which give you the chance to demonstrate your strengths and help us get to know you better.

    What to expect
    David de Bok, Lawyer, Brussels

    DLA Piper has created an environment where excellence can thrive alongside a supportive and team-based culture. 

    David de Bok
    Wout Priem, Lawyer, Brussels

    The collaborative spirit here is remarkable. We tackle complex issues together, and every opinion is valued.

    Wout Priem
      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      Your questions,
      answered

      No, you don’t need any prior work experience. 

      Yes, we accept applications from people who have already completed their degree.

      At the end of the internship, we will assess your performance and will help you to explore longer term career opportunities at the firm in bar traineeship roles. 

      Please contact Magdalena Sakowska (Talent Acquisition Business Partner).  

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