EARLY CAREERS

Master de acceso internship

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About this programme

Our Master de Acceso internship takes place over an academic year. The internship will support your registration for the mandatory traineeship to qualify for the bar exam in Spain.

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 six to twelve month Master de Acceso internship in our Madrid office, starting in September annually. 

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.

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.

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.
Recruitment roadmap

What to expect

  • Application form

    Complete our application form to give us some key information about you and submit your CV. 

  • Assessment day

    If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment day at our offices. On this day, you’ll complete a group exercise so we can get to know you better and see how you work in a team.

  • Online English assessment

    We use an online English assessment to test your English language skills. The online assessment is untimed and you can complete it at your own pace. But you have to complete your assessment within five working days of receiving the link.

    We recommend you spend some time practising to get used to the types of questions you may be asked. You’ll be required to obtain at least a C1 pass level in this assessment. 

  • Business case

    You’ll be invited to complete a technical written assessment relating to the practice group you’re aspiring to join. This assessment will be assessed by lawyers within the practice group.

  • Interviews

    The interviews with HR and colleagues within our practice groups will assess your motivations for and alignment to the role you’ve applied for. They’re focused on the behaviours that are important for success at DLA Piper. The interview is also your chance to demonstrate your strengths and help us get to know you better. 

What to expect
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Your questions,
answered

Within our Master de Acceso Internship, international law students are eligible to apply if they are currently studying the Master de Acceso and they plan to apply to the Bar Exam in Spain. 

No, you’ll join one practice group for the internship duration. 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.

Yes, we encourage all interns to participate in pro bono activities.

At the end of the internship, you’ll have the opportunity to be assessed, based on your performance, and our availability, for a position as a Lawyer with us. 

Yes, you’ll need to be a strong English and Spanish speaker, reader and writer (minimum +C1 level). Your English language skills will be assessed during our assessment and selection process.

If you do have any mitigating circumstances that you’d like us to take into account alongside your application, please contact us to discuss further.

Please contact Daniela Fermín (HR Advisor) if you have further questions.

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