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EARLY CAREERS in the Netherlands

Working student

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Shape your career

Our working student programme will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in the Netherlands and around the world.

Explore the intersection of law and business, take on real responsibilities from day one, and build essential skills 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. This is your opportunity to discover if law is the right path for you.

Once you've completed your working student programme, you could be offered a place as a Trainee Lawyer. 

Shape your career

What you will do

  • Work part time (two or three days a week) for seven months

  • Experience the complexities of our work and discover how you can make a real impact around the world

  • 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 Dutch. Also: 

  • You’ll be a current LLM or third year LLB student.
  • You'll have successfully completed a two-month full-time internship with us or another renowned law firm.
  • You'll have obtained, or are planning to obtain, civil effect.

You'll be available for at least for 4 months, but preferably for all 7 months.

You’ll have the right to work in the Netherlands for the duration of the programme. We are unable to sponsor visas for this role.

Only one application can be made per year.

Key dates       

  • Application deadline: We recruit on a rolling basis so there's no set deadline.
  • Working student programme duration: 4 – 7 months depending on availability, with a strong preference for the full seven months.
  • Role start date: Various start dates are possible throughout the year, on the first weekday of the month.
  • Role end date: The role ends on the last weekday of the seventh month, unless agreed otherwise.
Key dates     

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 your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts and any previous internship or working student evaluations. In your letter, make sure to mention the practice group and time period for which you would like to apply.

    • Interview

      The second stage is an interview at our Amsterdam office. The interview is aimed towards getting to know you and assessing your motivation and match with the firm and the role. If successful, you will advance to the last stage.

    • Assessment

      The final stage is an assessment, to be taken at our office. It will comprise of exercises which give you the chance to demonstrate your strengths in inductive, deductive, and numerical reasoning.

    What to expect
    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Your questions,
    answered

    As our working student positions are open year-round across all practice groups, availability can vary. You'll include your availability and preferred practice groups in your motivation letter. If you'd like to discuss in advance, please contact Constantijn Papa (Graduate Recruiter).

    At the end of your working student role, you’ll have the opportunity to be assessed, based on your performance and academic progression, and our availability, either for an extension as a Working Student or for a position as a Trainee Lawyer (Junior Associate) with us. 

    No, you’ll join one practice group for the entire 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 working students to participate in pro bono activities.

    You’ll follow a personalized learning journey to support your career development and growth. 

    Yes, you’ll need to be a strong English and Dutch speaker, reader and writer.

    No, we do not accept applications from those who have already completed their LLM.

    We accept all applications as long as they meet our minimum requirements.

    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 Constantijn Papa (Graduate Recruiter) if you have further questions.

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