EARLY CAREERS

Summer Internship

About this programme

Gain first-hand experience of working at DLA Piper with our in-person Summer Internship. Our three and a half week paid programme starts with a 3-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in our Dublin office. This is the gateway to our International Training Programme and will provide you with opportunities to explore your interests and make informed career choices. We only recruit trainees through the summer internship.

Summer Internship

Our Summer Internship is designed to give you an insight into what life at DLA Piper is really like. Our three and a half week programme starts with a three-day induction event held in the London office followed by time working in our Dublin office.

The induction will allow you to meet new people and hear from, senior members of the firm, as well as our current Trainees and Associates. You will discover more about the firm’s practice groups and sectors, our approach to radical change and technology, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion. You will also spend time building your professional skills and workplace capabilities to ensure you have the best internship experience possible.

You'll spend your next three weeks of the Internship undertaking work experience across two of our practice groups in our Dublin office. We will do our best to allocate your placements based on your preferences which you can share with us in advance.

The internship is your chance to show us your strengths in action and following your time with us you may be offered a place on our International Training Programme (Training Contract). Please note: You will be considered for a training contract offer in the office you undertake the Summer Internship in.

Am I eligible?

Studying a law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three-year course or a third-year student on a four-year course. You can also apply if you are in your final year of study.
Studying a non-law degree: you can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study.
You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate or career changer.
Please note: We recruit 2 years in advance and therefore all 2024 Internship applicants will be assessed for a place on the International Trainee Programme, commencing in Autumn 2026.
We welcome applications from all degree disciplines but only one application can be made per year.
You must have the right to work for the duration of the programme (35 hours a week) in the Dublin office. DLA Piper is unable to sponsor visas for the Summer Internship Programme.

Key dates

Applications open: 15th September 2023.
Applications close: We are now closed for applications for the 2024 Dublin Summer Internship.

Applicants will be assessed for a place on the International Training Programme, commencing in Autumn 2026.
Programme dates: 12th of June - 5th of July 2024.

Programme overview

Watch our 2023 Summer Internship Induction week, where we welcomed over 100 Summer Interns from the UK and Ireland for four days of interactive workshops, networking, social events and talks from our senior business leaders. Following these four days, our interns returned to complete two weeks of work experience in their chosen office location, across two different practice groups.

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 an answer to our application question regarding your motivations to apply to DLA Piper. We will also ask you to submit a CV.

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.

Video interview

The video interview has been developed to assess your motivations and alignment to the role you have applied for. It will consist of three questions which are focused on the behaviours which are important to be successful at DLA Piper.

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?

Frequently asked questions

Do you accept Summer Internship applications from non-law students?

Yes, we do. You can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study of a non-law degree. You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate or looking for a career change.

Can I do a Summer Internship in one office and apply to another for a training contract?

You should apply for a Summer Internship in the office where you would like your training contract to be based. Candidates are only able to apply to one location (UK, UAE, Ireland or Hong Kong) and one programme per annum.

What are your minimum academic requirements?

We do not have minimum academic requirements for our Summer Internship – you will just need to meet any entry requirements needed to complete your FE1’s.

Do you accept mitigating circumstances for academic results?

If you do have any mitigating circumstances that you would like to be taken into consideration alongside your application, please contact us to discuss further.

Can I apply for a Summer Internship if I have already completed my degree?

Yes, we accept applications from those who have already completed their law degree – as well as from non-law graduates.

Will there be an opportunity to start my International Training Programme sooner?

As we recruit two years in advance, during your 2024 Summer Internship, you will be assessed for a training contract starting in 2026. There are however some instances where we can accommodate an alternative start date year, subject to business needs