Bar Traineeship

Programme details

Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in Belgium and across the world. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more during your bar traineeship in our Brussels office.

This isn’t just a chance to shadow our lawyers. You’ll play a real role in our teams and take on real 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 and how law can unlock potential across the world and in your own career. That includes seeing how a purpose-led organisation makes a difference through our pro bono work and sustainability commitments.

You’ll develop your personal and professional skills through a bespoke career development plan. 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 bar traineeship, you’ll:

• Work on a variety of interesting challenges across different sectors.
• Join a diverse and friendly team while collaborating with colleagues across the world.
• Have opportunities to engage with initiatives beyond your role, including technology, sustainability and pro bono work.
• Develop essential business skills through our extensive learning programmes and supportive culture.
• Be supported by a strong network of supervisors, buddies and mentors to develop 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.
• Enjoy a working environment where your wellbeing is always a priority and your workload will be managed to ensure you can always deliver your best.
• Develop a global mindset and have the opportunity to apply for international secondments. 

What do we look for?

You don’t need any legal experience or education for this programme. We look for people with the skills for success at DLA Piper and in a legal career. These include:

• A motivation to work in the legal industry.
• Taking pride in every aspect of your work, where no detail is too small.
• Connecting with others to create strong, lasting relationships.
• Adapting your approach depending on the situation and in the face of any obstacles or setbacks.

Am I eligible?

You’ll need to be a strong English speaker, reader and writer, and will be fluent in either Dutch or French. Also: 

• You’ve obtained or will obtain a Master of law at a Belgian university.
• If you’re applying for EU competition law, global trade or government affairs, you’ll be a Master of law graduate at any university within the EU or you'll have obtained an LLM from a UK or US university (a Belgian degree is not mandatory).
• You’ll have a consistently strong academic record.
• You’ll have the right to work in Belgium.
• Only one application can be made per year.

Key dates

• Application deadline: We don’t have a specific deadline and we recruit on a rolling basis. Remember that the main recruitment period in Belgium is between September and January.
• Bar traineeship start date: September / October 2024