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EARLY CAREERS in the United Kingdom

International training programme

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Unlock your potential

Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in the UK and around the world. Develop the skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more on our two-year international training programme.

As a trainee, you'll start a global career that transcends traditional boundaries. You'll be part of a firm that embraces new ideas and fosters progress. With a focus on shaping the future of law, you'll do work that's as diverse as the world we live in. Our international training programme is designed for people who have a global mindset and appreciate the nuances of local contexts. You'll do the most stimulating work, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.

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Unlock your potential

What you will do

  • Complete four six-month rotations across our practice groups
  • Access international and client secondments, plus placements in our responsible business team
  • Work on high-profile, cross-border projects at the forefront of legal innovation
  • Collaborate with a friendly, forward-thinking team and build a global network
  • Grow through structured learning and development opportunities with support from supervisors, buddies, mentors and a dedicated Early Careers programme manager
  • Graduate as more than a lawyer – become a global business advisor ready to shape the future of law
What you will do
Transcript

Liam Cowell, Partner: "Welcome. Fantastic. You've done brilliant to get to this stage. At some point, make sure you do stop and recognise just how well you've done. This is a massive day in your lives. A massive start to what I'm hoping will be fantastic careers."

Irene Adeyinka, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Specialist: "So who is in your team? What is everyone's learning style? What's the understanding? And then, more importantly, who are the clients and what are their needs? How does that work as well?"

Elainne Dunne, Trainee Solicitor: "My experience at DLA Piper has enabled me to feel confident reassuring others that they too will have a wonderful experience during their training contract."

Paul Jayson, Partner: "Treat the training contract and the opportunity as if you are exploring a new country. Make the most of it. Be inquisitive. Be curious."

Emma Thea Jones, Solicitor Apprentice: "I think it's really valuable having them both join the same induction, because ultimately they do the same work. So being exposed to the same sessions gives them the same grounding, which is really helpful."

Jon Hayes, Global Co-Chair and Senior Partner: "And on behalf of all of the partners at DLA Piper, a really very warm welcome to this event. To this stage of your career, to this great global law firm."

Rahul Ramanathan, Trainee Solicitor: "Everyone in DLA is so welcoming. So I felt like, going in, I could always turn to associates, partners, anyone for support. To ask questions and to be eager is the biggest thing I'll take away from this."

Alla Kazoun, Trainee Solicitor: "They gave us certain tips and tricks that will help us hit the ground running once we've entered each of our offices. And the good thing is that those tips and tricks are universal to all offices across the globe, whether it be London, Manchester, Birmingham, Hong Kong, Dubai, all those pieces of advice are applicable."

Edward Selwyn Sharpe, Trainee Solicitor: "I feel that the induction week is really good at preparing us for our future, and giving us an ability to understand where everyone's potential lies and where our own potential lies. I think it's a really exciting firm to be in, and it's great to see everyone's potential and where that might lead us in the future." 

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?

We typically recruit trainees through our summer internship, but we may at times recruit outside of the internship programme. Learn more about our summer internships. 

You must have the right to work in the UK. Please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Application hints and tips

Hear from our early careers team and discover how to succeed in your application.

Application hints and tips

Give your career the best platform

Do you want to unlock an exciting future and realise your potential? Learn more about life at DLA Piper and the opportunities on our early careers programmes.

Give your career the best platform

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
    Hannah Potter, Associate, London

    I've worked with a range of colleagues across the firm's practice groups and business services teams and everyone is approachable and friendly. What stands out to me is that that people love their work and also have a life outside of work, creating an enjoyable workplace for everyone.

    Hannah Potter
    Heba Khalid, Associate, Manchester

    On my training programme, I've been incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside people, from all levels, who have unconditionally supported and guided me through the various challenges that come with being a trainee solicitor.

    Heba Khalid
    Nick Lowe, Trainee Solicitor, Leeds

    During my time as a trainee, I've had the opportunity to be involved in so many amazing projects and transactions. The breadth of clients means that every day brings new learning opportunities.

    Nick Lowe
    James Watson, Associate, Birmingham

    The firm invests a lot of time and resources into developing their junior talent. The Early Careers team in particular regularly organise check-ins with trainees and have hosted sessions on important topics such as resilience, mental and physical wellbeing, overcoming imposter syndrome and much more.

    James Watson
    Fatima Coulibaly, Associate, London

    The learning opportunities in this role have been endless, and after a year, I can confidently say that the training contract is providing me with the most valuable tools to begin a successful career in law.

    Fatima Coulibaly
    Sara Jenkins, Associate, Leeds/Manchester

    Life at a leading international law firm means a vast range of work, clients and opportunities. It's been a great journey so far.

    Sara Jenkins
      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      Your questions,
      answered

      We offer up to 65 training contracts across the UK each year.

      Yes. You'll be able to apply to take part in client and international secondments from your second rotation onwards. You'll also have placement opportunities in our Responsible Business team.

      You'll complete four, six-month rotations in our practice groups. These rotational experiences are designed to give you access to the most interesting work across our different areas of legal practice, broadening your knowledge, skills and network. We'll work with you to understand your preferences for each rotation, and you'll be doing work you're proud of.

      Each trainee has a dedicated early careers programme manager who will meet with them at the mid point of each rotation. During this meeting, upcoming rotation preferences are discussed and recorded.

      If we offer you a training contract, we will support your application to obtain a work permit or visa. However, please note that it is your responsibility to provide all the necessary information and documentation to the UK Border Agency. Furthermore, any offer we make will be conditional upon your work permit/visa application being approved.

      We typically recruit trainees through the summer internship, but we may at times recruit outside of the internship programme.

      Our summer internship programme is a fantastic way to get to experience working at DLA Piper. It will help you to get to know our firm and our people. The three-week internship will give you a strong understanding of our values and what we stand for and whether DLA Piper and its practice groups are right for you. At the end of the summer internship, you'll be assessed for a place on our international training programme (training contract) in the office where you complete your internship.

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