Firm Profiles
DLA PIPER
DLA PIPER
An International Law Firm
An International Law Firm
Year 1 Trainee
£52,000
Year 2 Trainee
£57,000
Newly Qualified
£130,000
DLA Piper is a truly global law firm with over 6,000 lawyers across 90+ offices in more than 40 countries. The firm prides itself on bringing commercial clarity to complex legal matters, supported by a bold, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture. London trainees have the opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of practice areas including Corporate/M&A, Restructuring, and Information Technology.
TC Number
65
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
90
DLA Piper recruits around 65 trainees annually. The training contract comprises four six-month rotations, with trainees typically experiencing core practice areas complemented by emerging specialties like Tech and Digital. Numerous international and client secondment opportunities are available, reflecting the firm’s global reach.
Rankings in Chambers
89
Category
International
The firm is is ranked in 89 departments in Chambers UK 2025, with Band 1 standings in Corporate/M&A, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Information Technology. At the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024, the firm won Best Generative AI Strategy in Europe, recognised for its AI-driven approach, comprehensive governance frameworks, and pro bono climate justice work. 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.
The Application Process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
A-Levels Requirements
N/A
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
N/A
Application Writing
Begin with an online application including personal details, CV upload, and motivational questions.
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.
Interview Stage
Conducted via Cappfinity, this involves responding to several pre-recorded questions. You’ll have 60 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to answer each. The questions focus on motivation, fit with DLA Piper values (Bold, Exceptional, Collaborative, Supportive), competencies, and commercial awareness.
Application Writing
Psychometric Testing
Begin with an online application including personal details, CV upload, and motivational questions.
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. Expect ~40 questions in ~30–40 minutes.
Psychometric Testing
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. Expect ~40 questions in ~30–40 minutes.
Interview Stage
Conducted via Cappfinity, this involves responding to several pre-recorded questions. You’ll have 60 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to answer each. The questions focus on motivation, fit with DLA Piper values (Bold, Exceptional, Collaborative, Supportive), competencies, and commercial awareness.
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 Profiles
DLA PIPER
An International Law Firm
Year 1
Trainee
£52,000
Year 2
Trainee
£57,000
Newly
Qualified
£130,000
DLA Piper is a truly global law firm with over 6,000 lawyers across 90+ offices in more than 40 countries. The firm prides itself on bringing commercial clarity to complex legal matters, supported by a bold, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture. London trainees have the opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of practice areas including Corporate/M&A, Restructuring, and Information Technology.
TC Number
65
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
90
DLA Piper recruits around 65 trainees annually. The training contract comprises four six-month rotations, with trainees typically experiencing core practice areas complemented by emerging specialties like Tech and Digital. Numerous international and client secondment opportunities are available, reflecting the firm’s global reach.
Rankings in Chambers
89
Awards
Category
International
The firm is is ranked in 89 departments in Chambers UK 2025, with Band 1 standings in Corporate/M&A, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Information Technology. At the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024, the firm won Best Generative AI Strategy in Europe, recognised for its AI-driven approach, comprehensive governance frameworks, and pro bono climate justice work. 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.
The Vacation Scheme Application Process
Application Writing
Begin with an online application including personal details, CV upload, and motivational questions.
Psychometric Testing
Successful submission then leads to the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, a timed assessment of logical thinking, deduction, inference, and argument evaluation. Expect ~40 questions in ~30–40 minutes.
Interview Stage
Conducted via Cappfinity, this involves responding to several pre-recorded questions. You’ll have 60 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to answer each. The questions focus on motivation, fit with DLA Piper values (Bold, Exceptional, Collaborative, Supportive), competencies, and commercial awareness.
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.
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Requirements
Degree Requirements
N/A