DLA Piper

Overview

DLA Piper is a global full‑service law firm with a large international platform and strong regional UK presence. The firm markets itself as a driver of innovation (Law&) and sustainability, combining cross‑border transactional capability with sizeable business services and legal technology teams. DLA Piper emphasises global mobility and collaborative working through programmes such as an international induction, multi‑seat rotations and international secondments, positioning itself as a gateway to a global legal career.

• Headquarters: London
• Founded: 2006
• Trainees: 55
• Offices: 90

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Commercial Contracts
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Intellectual Property
• Technology & Digital
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Energy & Natural Resources
• ESG & Sustainability
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Competition & Antitrust
• Investment Funds
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Capital Markets
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Tax
• Transport & Logistics

Geographic Focus: A truly international platform: over 90 offices across 40 countries with particular strength in the UK (national footprint including major regional offices), continental Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East. Strategy emphasises cross‑border collaboration, international secondments (recent destinations include Singapore, Bangkok, Belgium, Dubai and Hong Kong) and sector‑aligned global teams to support clients’ international needs.

Training Contract

International training programme with an induction in London followed by four six‑month rotations across practice groups (four rotations totalling two years). Rotations are allocated with consideration of trainee preferences and the firm’s business needs; trainees join the international early careers community, receive ongoing self‑paced learning via the DLA Piper Academy and have structured coaching with an early careers programme manager. Secondment opportunities (client and international) are available from the second rotation onwards.

• Starting Salary: £55,000 (first year trainee salary as published in supplementary data)
• NQ Salary: £140,000 (newly qualified salary disclosed in supplementary data)
• Trainee Intake: 55
• Qualification Rate: 70% (latest trainee retention rate according to supplementary data)
• Academic Requirements: The firm states there is no single route into law on its pages, but supplementary data lists a minimum degree requirement of a 2:1. For apprenticeships the site lists provider academic minimums (e.g., three C's at A Level and five GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above).
• Application Deadline: 2026-12-12

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Intellectual Property
• Technology & Digital
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Energy & Natural Resources
• ESG & Sustainability
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Commercial Contracts

Sponsorship

The firm states it funds postgraduate tuition and supports living costs. Supplementary data lists a PGDL/PGDL grant of £12,500 and an SQE grant of £17,000; the website also refers generally to financial sponsorship for studies and living costs.

SQE Support

The firm states it will fund the postgraduate tuition required to be a lawyer in your jurisdiction and provide financial sponsorship to support living costs during studies. Supplementary figures show a published SQE grant of £17,000 (firm support for SQE funding).

International Opportunities

International secondments are available from the second rotation onwards. Recent international secondment locations include Singapore, Bangkok, Belgium, Dubai and Hong Kong. The firm promotes international mobility as part of its global training and development offering.

Client Secondments

Trainees can apply for client secondments from their second rotation onwards and there are placement opportunities in the Responsible Business team. Supplementary data indicates a circa 6% chance of client secondment.

Mentorship

Trainees have an early careers programme manager, are assigned a buddy and are supported by supervisors, office trainee partners and people networks. The firm encourages trainees to find a mentor and organises regular coaching conversations and pastoral support.

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What DLA Piper Looks For

Key Competencies

• Self‑motivation and proactivity
• Commercial awareness and curiosity about business and technology
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Open‑mindedness and creativity
• Critical thinking and sound judgement
• Accountability and commitment to quality
• Growth mindset, resilience and continuous learning
• Inclusive behaviours and cultural fit with a global firm

Evidence Signals

• International or cross‑border experience, study or language skills
• Commercial work experience or internships (summer internships/insight days)
• Interest or demonstrable experience in technology/AI or sustainability/ESG
• Pro bono and community engagement
• Examples of leadership, teamwork and problem solving in practical settings
• Academic performance (supplementary data indicates a 2:1 minimum degree is commonly expected)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• First year trainee salary: £55,000
• Second year trainee salary: £60,000
• NQ salary: £140,000
• PGDL/PGDL grant: £12,500
• SQE grant: £17,000
• Hybrid working (WorkSmart)
• Funding of postgraduate tuition and financial sponsorship for study and living costs
• Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential guidance for employees and family)
• Unmind app access (mental wellbeing support and one referral)
• SPEAK Ambassadors wellbeing network
• Mindful Business Charter commitment
• International mobility and secondment opportunities
• Competitive and transparent reward package
• Access to DLA Piper Academy learning resources
• Design Thinking/DLA Design training and innovation exposure
• Opportunities to take part in Law& innovation projects and legal tech initiatives

Wellbeing

Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme including an Employee Assistance Programme, Unmind app access, SPEAK Ambassadors network, Health and Wellbeing Steering Committee and firm commitments under the Mindful Business Charter.

Awards & Recognition

• Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Awards 2024 (Innovation in Generative AI)
• Legal Innovation & Technology Awards 2024 (multiple awards including Future of Legal Services Innovation and Outstanding Training Innovation)
• The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Awards 2023 (multiple awards)
• Legal Business Awards 2022 (ESG initiative of the year for Corporate PPA)
• The Lawyer Awards 2022 (Pro Bono Initiative of the Year)
• FT Innovative Lawyer Europe Awards 2021 (Most Innovative Law Firm)
• Aiscension wins Most Innovative Use of Technology (The Lawyer Awards 2021)
• Awards for gender/diversity initiatives (various years)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Signatory to the UN Global Compact; engagement with Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Sustainable Markets Initiative; Mansfield Certified Plus status (recognition for leadership diversity efforts); partnership with UNICEF and other long‑term pro bono commitments.

• Mosaic (race, ethnicity, culture and faith network)
• Iris (EMEA & APAC LGBTQ+ network)
• LAW (Leadership Alliance for Women / gender balance network)
• PACT (Parents and Families Together)
• Enabled (disability and neurodiversity network)
• Horizons (UK social mobility network)
• Head Start (social mobility initiative)
• Break Into Law (global access to law initiative)
• New Perimeter (non‑profit affiliate for pro bono in under‑served regions)
• Global Scholarships programme

Pro Bono

One of the largest pro bono practices globally. The firm reported donating over 250,000 pro bono hours in 2024 and operates New Perimeter, Head Start and a Global Scholarships programme; pro bono work is aligned to ESG pillars and includes large scale projects such as assistance to displaced people and support for child protection via UNICEF.

Innovation

Innovation is embedded through Law& which combines legal, technology and business solutions. The firm trains thousands in DLA Design, develops AI and analytics products (Aiscension, Notify), and integrates legal tech and automation across knowledge functions. Trainees are exposed to design thinking, legal tech/AI tools and Law& projects as part of their rotations and learning modules. The firm’s generative AI strategy and Aiscension platform have won industry innovation awards.

• Law& (innovation arm)
• DLA Design (design thinking methodology)
• Aiscension (AI‑powered review tool)
• Notify (proprietary data breach reporting tool)
• Law& Innovation Incubator
• Law& Solutions and Law& Managed Legal Services
• AI, Data and Analytics team and AI literacy programmes
• DLA Piper Academy learning platform

Quick Application Angles

• Reference the firm’s Law& innovation work and Aiscension/Notify tools when discussing how you’d add value on technology or efficiency projects.
• Demonstrate global mindset and commercial awareness — mention interest in international secondments (recent destinations include Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and Hong Kong) and how you’d contribute to cross‑border work.
• Show commitment to sustainability/ESG: cite the firm’s COP engagements or sustainability targets and explain how you’d apply ESG thinking to client advice.
• Emphasise teamwork, approachability and mentoring — the firm highlights buddying, accessible partners and strong peer support (insider ratings: A for peer support and partner approachability).
• If applicable, highlight tech/AI literacy or design thinking experience (DLA Design) — the firm prizes creative problem solving and innovation).