About this programme
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.
Programme details
Explore the intersection between law and business. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this, and more, on our one month internship in our Brussels office.
This isn’t just a chance to shadow our lawyers. You’ll play a real role in our teams and take on responsibility from day one. Whether attending court hearings, working with clients or developing your professional network, you’ll experience the cutting edge of the legal sector. You'll discover how law can unlock potential around the world and in your own career. That includes seeing how a purpose-led organisation makes a difference through pro bono work and sustainability commitments.
The internship is your chance to see if law is a career you can thrive in. Working across our practice groups and sectors, you’ll be giving your career the best platform by developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will support your professional growth.
We’ll ask you to choose your preferred practice groups when you apply and will try to assign you to one of these for the programme.
During the internship, you will:
- experience the complexities of our work and discover how you can make a real impact around the world. 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;
- develop your knowledge and skills through structured learning and development opportunities;
- be supported by a strong network of supervisors, buddies, and mentors to develop your confidence and identify your own personal and professional goals;
- be part of an international early careers community full of talented colleagues who’ll become part of your global network;
- have opportunities to explore interests beyond your role, including legal tech, sustainability and pro bono work, to give you an authentic insight into life at DLA Piper; and
- enjoy a supportive working environment where your wellbeing is always a priority and your workload is managed so you can always deliver your best.
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.
Show us your strengths in action. 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.
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.
To succeed on our early careers programmes, you don’t need any specific legal experience or education, but you will, in addition to the eligibility criteria:
- have an interest in international law and business;
- have a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset and will 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 will 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.
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.
Recruitment roadmap
What to expect
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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.
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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.
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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.
David de Bok, Lawyer, Brussels
DLA Piper has created an environment where excellence can thrive alongside a supportive and team-based culture.
Wout Priem, Lawyer, Brussels
The collaborative spirit here is remarkable. We tackle complex issues together, and every opinion is valued.
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).
Life at DLA Piper
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