About this programme
Our two month, in-person paid summer internship will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in Spain 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 two month internship in our Madrid office, taking place in June, July and August 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.
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 master de acceso 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.
Please note: Applications for our 2025 programme will open in January 2025.
DLA Piper attends Careers Days in Spain
We enjoy meeting law students at universities across Spain to showcase DLA Piper! Students enjoy learning about our values and our Early Careers opportunities, as well as meeting our lawyers and HR team.
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
-
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.
-
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.
Sara Espina Sánchez, Associate, Madrid
As a global firm, working at DLA Piper gives you exposure to international transactions and cross-border legal matters and allows you to learn from the challenges that come with this type of work.
Héctor Gómez Ferrero, Legal Director, Madrid
I chose DLA Piper then and I choose it every day because I continue to work on international projects, full of challenges, that allow me to learn and be motivated as I was on day one, while being part of a big family where my contribution is recognised and I can be myself.
Elisa Lorenzo Sánchez, Legal Director, Madrid
DLA Piper is a place where people really matter, and therefore it is characterised by a positive work environment fostering both excellence and teamwork.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions,
answered
Yes, we do, and we assess each candidate's circumstances on a case by case basis.
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 Master de Acceso intern 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 FermÃn (HR Advisor) if you have further questions.
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.