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EARLY CAREERS in Italy

Internship

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Kickstart your legal career

Our six month, in-person paid internship will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in Italy and around the world.

Our programme will support your registration for the mandatory traineeship to qualify for the Italian bar exam (pratica forense) or for the chartered accountant exam. 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. At the end of the internship, you'll have the opportunity to be assessed for a trainee position with us.

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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.  

How to apply?

To apply, you'll be required to complete an application form. Within the application form, you'll also be asked to include your academic average and your actual expected graduation date.

When applying, you'll also be asked to provide your CV, your graduate academic transcripts and details of your language skills. We don’t require you to submit a cover letter as part of your application.

Although it's not essential, our preference is that your application is completed in English.

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. We'll also ask you to choose your preferred office location. Please note that whilst we try to accommodate individuals’ preferences, there may be times when this is not possible.

Key dates

The Internship is six months in duration and has two intakes:

  • September 2025 – March 2026
  • March – September 2026
  • Application deadline: 8 August 2025

 

Key dates

DLA Piper attends Career Days in Italy

We recently participated in #CareerDays at Bocconi University in Milan and Sapienza University in Rome. We enjoyed meeting with Law and Economics students and recent graduates to showcase our firm, our values and to introduce our Internship Programme and career opportunities in Italy. 

DLA Piper attends Career Days in Italy

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 Italy HR 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. We will also ask you to submit a CV and provide your academic transcripts. After submitting your application form, you will be invited to complete a series of online tests that explore your language capabilities, reasoning and analytical skills. 

    • Assessments

      • English online assessment (via e-mail)
      • English oral assessment (approximately 10 minutes conversation by phone)
      • Written assessment (in English or Italian)

    • Interviews

      • 1st stage interview with a Recruitment Specialist
      • 2nd stage interview with a Lawyer

    • Offer

    What to expect
    Ornella Belfiori, Lawyer, Rome

    I have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge and transnational matters, often as a member of multijurisdictional teams. Resources have plenty of opportunities to learn from the partners they work with, from senior associates and other junior colleagues.

    Ornella Belfiori
    Fabio Lenzini, Legal Director, Rome

    Joining the firm represented a real opportunity for me to forge a satisfying career.

    Fabio Lenzini
      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      Your questions,
      answered

      Yes, if you have the university requirements to access the mandatory pratica forense or pratica anticipata. We encourage you to contact your university prior to applying to check the necessary requirements.

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

      Please contact Mariana Dardengo (Senior Recruitment Business Partner, Italy) or Benedetta Mayer (Recruitment Specialist, Italy).

      Ready to kickstart your legal career?

      Apply now

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