Firm Profiles
DLA Piper
DLA Piper
One of the largest law firms in the world by revenue — known for corporate, finance, litigation, and real estate
One of the largest law firms in the world by revenue — known for corporate, finance, litigation, and real estate
Year 1 Trainee
£52,000
Year 2 Trainee
£57,000
Newly Qualified
£130,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
±65
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
90
DLA Piper is a global law firm headquartered in London, formed in 2005 through the merger of multiple predecessor firms, with roots in the firm founded by John Biggart in 1764. The firm has 80+ offices in over 40 countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, making it one of the largest law firms in the world by both headcount and revenue — exceeding $3.6 billion globally. In June 2025, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron joined the firm as a consultant.
DLA Piper offers approximately 65 training contracts per year in the UK across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Liverpool. The firm brands its training contract as the "International Training Programme" — reflecting a genuine cross-border dimension with trainees from UK, Ireland, Dubai, and Hong Kong offices attending a joint induction week in London before beginning their contracts.
The four-seat training contract runs across DLA Piper's core practice areas. Secondments are available to international offices. All UK trainees join an integrated induction week in London regardless of office location.
In September 2025, DLA Piper raised London NQ salaries from £110,000 to £130,000 — an 18% increase — alongside London trainee salary increases to £52,000 (Year 1) and £57,000 (Year 2). Regional NQs also received a 9.3% increase to £82,000.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
96
Category
International
DLA Piper achieved 96 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026 — reflecting its breadth as a genuinely full-service firm operating across all major commercial practice areas. The firm was named International Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2025. DLA Piper won Technology Law Firm of the Year and Data Protection Law Firm of the Year at The Legal 500 UK Awards 2025.
In 2025, the firm launched DLA Piper Accelerate — a legal technology and AI capabilities platform. In June 2025, the Financial Times named DLA Piper among the “Most Innovative Law Firms of the past 20 years,” spotlighting its track record in AI, data analytics, and structural innovation.
Top practice areas:
Corporate and M&A
A large and active corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and capital markets across DLA Piper's global network. One of the most active seats for trainees.
Finance
A comprehensive finance practice covering leveraged finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance, project finance, and restructuring. Ranked across multiple finance sub-categories in Chambers UK.
Litigation and regulatory
A significant disputes practice handling commercial litigation, arbitration, regulatory investigations, and corporate crime. The firm advises on some of the largest and most complex disputes globally.
Real estate
A large real estate practice covering investment transactions, development, planning, and real estate finance for institutional and private clients. One of the most active practice areas for trainees.
Technology, intellectual property, and data
A leading technology and data practice, reflecting DLA Piper's strong technology sector focus. Covers IP, data protection, technology transactions, and digital commerce. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK for data protection.
The application process
Written application
The application process begins with an online application form, where candidates are asked to provide key personal, academic, and work experience information. Applicants must also upload a CV. A cover letter is not required. As part of the application, candidates are asked to answer several written questions exploring their motivation to apply to DLA Piper, their interest in pursuing a career as a commercial solicitor, and the experiences, skills, and qualities they would bring to the firm. Strong applications demonstrate a genuine understanding of both the commercial legal sector and DLA Piper’s distinctive global platform, while providing clear evidence of the candidate’s suitability for the role.
Psychometric Testing
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation.
Interview Stage
The next stage is a phone interview. This is designed to assess your motivation for applying to DLA Piper and your suitability for a career as a trainee solicitor. Conducted by a member of the Early Careers team, the interview consists of a series of questions exploring your interest in commercial law, your reasons for applying to the firm, and the key behaviours and attributes that contribute to success at DLA Piper.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who advance are invited to a full-day Assessment Centre that includes:
A strength-based interview with senior lawyers to explore your motivations, strengths, and cultural fit.
A case study, where you'll spend up to 1 hour reading, analysing, and preparing responses (written or presented), followed by a Q&A lasting ~35 minutes.
A group exercise, usually involving discussion and presentation in teams focused on commercial themes.
DLA Piper looks for clear analytical thinking, commercial insight, effective teamwork, strong communication, and a values-led approach throughout this process.
The application process
Written application
The application process begins with an online application form, where candidates are asked to provide key personal, academic, and work experience information. Applicants must also upload a CV. A cover letter is not required. As part of the application, candidates are asked to answer several written questions exploring their motivation to apply to DLA Piper, their interest in pursuing a career as a commercial solicitor, and the experiences, skills, and qualities they would bring to the firm. Strong applications demonstrate a genuine understanding of both the commercial legal sector and DLA Piper’s distinctive global platform, while providing clear evidence of the candidate’s suitability for the role.
Psychometric Testing
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation.
Interview Stage
The next stage is a phone interview. This is designed to assess your motivation for applying to DLA Piper and your suitability for a career as a trainee solicitor. Conducted by a member of the Early Careers team, the interview consists of a series of questions exploring your interest in commercial law, your reasons for applying to the firm, and the key behaviours and attributes that contribute to success at DLA Piper.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who advance are invited to a full-day Assessment Centre that includes:
A strength-based interview with senior lawyers to explore your motivations, strengths, and cultural fit.
A case study, where you'll spend up to 1 hour reading, analysing, and preparing responses (written or presented), followed by a Q&A lasting ~35 minutes.
A group exercise, usually involving discussion and presentation in teams focused on commercial themes.
DLA Piper looks for clear analytical thinking, commercial insight, effective teamwork, strong communication, and a values-led approach throughout this process.
Firm history
Firm History
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
DLA Piper
One of the largest law firms in the world by revenue — known for corporate, finance, litigation, and real estate
Year 1
Trainee
£52,000
Year 2
Trainee
£57,000
Newly
Qualified
£130,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
96
Category
International
DLA Piper achieved 96 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026 — reflecting its breadth as a genuinely full-service firm operating across all major commercial practice areas. The firm was named International Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2025. DLA Piper won Technology Law Firm of the Year and Data Protection Law Firm of the Year at The Legal 500 UK Awards 2025.
In 2025, the firm launched DLA Piper Accelerate — a legal technology and AI capabilities platform. In June 2025, the Financial Times named DLA Piper among the “Most Innovative Law Firms of the past 20 years,” spotlighting its track record in AI, data analytics, and structural innovation.
Top practice areas:
Corporate and M&A
A large and active corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and capital markets across DLA Piper's global network. One of the most active seats for trainees.
Finance
A comprehensive finance practice covering leveraged finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance, project finance, and restructuring. Ranked across multiple finance sub-categories in Chambers UK.
Litigation and regulatory
A significant disputes practice handling commercial litigation, arbitration, regulatory investigations, and corporate crime. The firm advises on some of the largest and most complex disputes globally.
Real estate
A large real estate practice covering investment transactions, development, planning, and real estate finance for institutional and private clients. One of the most active practice areas for trainees.
Technology, intellectual property, and data
A leading technology and data practice, reflecting DLA Piper's strong technology sector focus. Covers IP, data protection, technology transactions, and digital commerce. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK for data protection.
About the firm
TC Number
±65
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
90
DLA Piper is a global law firm headquartered in London, formed in 2005 through the merger of multiple predecessor firms, with roots in the firm founded by John Biggart in 1764. The firm has 80+ offices in over 40 countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, making it one of the largest law firms in the world by both headcount and revenue — exceeding $3.6 billion globally. In June 2025, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron joined the firm as a consultant.
DLA Piper offers approximately 65 training contracts per year in the UK across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Liverpool. The firm brands its training contract as the "International Training Programme" — reflecting a genuine cross-border dimension with trainees from UK, Ireland, Dubai, and Hong Kong offices attending a joint induction week in London before beginning their contracts.
The four-seat training contract runs across DLA Piper's core practice areas. Secondments are available to international offices. All UK trainees join an integrated induction week in London regardless of office location.
In September 2025, DLA Piper raised London NQ salaries from £110,000 to £130,000 — an 18% increase — alongside London trainee salary increases to £52,000 (Year 1) and £57,000 (Year 2). Regional NQs also received a 9.3% increase to £82,000.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
N/A
Written application
The application process begins with an online application form, where candidates are asked to provide key personal, academic, and work experience information. Applicants must also upload a CV. A cover letter is not required. As part of the application, candidates are asked to answer several written questions exploring their motivation to apply to DLA Piper, their interest in pursuing a career as a commercial solicitor, and the experiences, skills, and qualities they would bring to the firm. Strong applications demonstrate a genuine understanding of both the commercial legal sector and DLA Piper’s distinctive global platform, while providing clear evidence of the candidate’s suitability for the role.
Psychometric Testing
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation.
Interview Stage
The next stage is a phone interview. This is designed to assess your motivation for applying to DLA Piper and your suitability for a career as a trainee solicitor. Conducted by a member of the Early Careers team, the interview consists of a series of questions exploring your interest in commercial law, your reasons for applying to the firm, and the key behaviours and attributes that contribute to success at DLA Piper.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who advance are invited to a full-day Assessment Centre that includes:
A strength-based interview with senior lawyers to explore your motivations, strengths, and cultural fit.
A case study, where you'll spend up to 1 hour reading, analysing, and preparing responses (written or presented), followed by a Q&A lasting ~35 minutes.
A group exercise, usually involving discussion and presentation in teams focused on commercial themes.
DLA Piper looks for clear analytical thinking, commercial insight, effective teamwork, strong communication, and a values-led approach throughout this process.
Firm History
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.