EARLY CAREERS

Summer Internship

About this programme

Our one month, in-person paid summer internship will show you what we do, how we work and the impact we make in Belgium and across the world.

Programme details

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 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.

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 across the world.
Through our supportive culture, you'll 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 your interests beyond your role, including legal tech, sustainability and pro bono work, to give you an authentic insight into life at DLA Piper.
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.

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 your journey to building a different kind of legal career.

Come and show us your strengths in action, and following your time with us you may be offered a place on our ibar traineeship. Please note: You’ll be considered for a position on the bar traineeship in the office you undertake the summer internship in.

What do we look for?

In addition to the eligibility criteria, we’re looking for individuals 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:

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. You’ll see setbacks as learning opportunities, and you’ll proactively look for ways to grow and develop.
Enjoy working in an ever-changing environment.
Enjoy taking ownership of tasks and thinking critically.

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’ll be a current Master of law student at a Belgian university.
If you’re applying for EU competition law, global trade or government affairs, you’ll be a Master of law student at any university within the EU (a Belgian degree is not mandatory).
You’ll have a consistently strong academic record.
You’ll have the right to work in Belgium for the duration of the programme (38 hours per week). We are unable to sponsor visas for the Internship.
Only one application can be made per year.

Key dates

Applications open: 26 August 2024
Application deadline: We don’t have a specific deadline and we recruit on a rolling basis. So, we'd encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Internship duration: One month
Internship start date: 1st working day of the month in July and August 2025.

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

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 a CV and provide your academic transcripts.

Online assessment

The Watson Glaser online assessment is untimed and to be completed at your own pace. However, you must complete your assessment within five working days of receiving the link.

There are various practice Watson Glaser assessments available online and we would recommend spending some time practising these to familiarise yourself with the types of questions you may be asked. You will also be sent a link from us with a further practice assessment you can take before undertaking the final assessment.

Assessment centre

The final stage is an Assessment Centre. It will comprise of exercises which give you the chance to demonstrate your strengths and help us get to know you better.

Ready to shape your future with DLA Piper?

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

Can you tell me more about DLA Piper in Belgium?

DLA Piper is recognised as one of the leading law firms in Belgium. With over 170 professionals based in Brussels and in our working hub in Antwerp, we advise clients on all areas of business law and combine the firm’s global reach with our local knowledge.

Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds; it’s what sets us apart. By opening up a range of different and unique perspectives, we can service our clients better.

Our clients value our global view of the market, consistency of service and the ability to quickly form cross-border multidisciplinary project teams. We are dedicated to building long-term relationships.

DLA Piper in Belgium is one of the co-founding members of the Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance. This is a joint initiative by more than 40 law firms in Belgium who pledge to eliminate workplace discrimination and promote an inclusive.

Do you accept mitigating circumstances for academic results?

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.

Do I need any prior work experience to apply for the internship?

No, you don’t need any prior work experience.

Can I apply for the internship if I’ve already completed my degree?

Yes, we accept applications from people who have already completed their degree.

Will there be any longer-term job opportunities following the internship?

At the end of the internship, we will assess your performance and will help you to explore longer term career opportunities at the firm in bar traineeship roles.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Please contact Magdalena Sakowska (Talent Acquisition Business Partner).