Summer Internship

DLA Piper's 2027 Summer Internship provides students and graduates with practical experience of working in a global law firm. The two to three-week, in-person programme provides exposure to legal work, clients and the commercial environment in which legal services are delivered.

Interns may attend court hearings, work directly with clients and collaborate with lawyers and other professionals on real client matters. The programme also provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between law, business and technology.

The internship is designed to provide more than observation. Interns are expected to contribute to the team, take ownership of work and develop an understanding of how DLA Piper's practice and sector groups advise clients on complex matters.

Successful interns may subsequently be offered a place on DLA Piper's Future Lawyers Pathway, with the 2027 Summer Internship cohort being assessed for a pathway commencing in Autumn 2029.

Locations

Applications are available for the following offices:

Birmingham
Edinburgh
London
North West, based in Manchester
Yorkshire, based in Leeds

The internship is aligned to the office selected at application stage. Candidates who complete the Summer Internship and subsequently progress to the Future Lawyers Pathway are considered for a training programme in the same office.

For the North West, candidates offered a training contract in Manchester may have the opportunity to complete a seat rotation in Liverpool. Candidates based in Yorkshire may similarly have the opportunity to undertake seat rotations in Sheffield.

What the Internship Involves

The programme begins with an interactive induction in London, bringing interns together from across the programme and providing an opportunity to build an initial professional network.

During the internship, candidates will gain exposure to complex legal work and the different practice and sector groups operating across DLA Piper. Interns will contribute to real client matters and experience the pace and variety of work within an international law firm.

Structured learning is provided throughout the programme, alongside support from supervisors, buddies and mentors. Interns can also explore areas including legal technology, sustainability and responsible business.

The firm's previous internship programme included a three-day induction followed by two weeks of work experience in the chosen office, across two different practice groups. The precise structure for the 2027 programme may vary.

Who Can Apply

Law Students and Graduates

Applicants can apply if they are:

In the second year of a three-year law degree.
In the third year of a four-year law degree.
In the final year of a law degree.
A law graduate.
Non-Law Students and Graduates

DLA Piper also accepts applications from candidates who are not studying law. Applicants can apply if they are:

In the final year of their degree.
A graduate.
Changing careers.
Edinburgh

The eligibility requirements for Edinburgh reflect the Scottish route to qualification as a solicitor.

Law students must be in the penultimate or final year of an accredited LLB, or be a law graduate. Non-law applicants must already have graduated and be completing an accelerated LLB route, with the intention of progressing directly to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice after completing the LLB.

Academic Requirements

DLA Piper accepts applicants studying any degree subject.

Candidates should have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent and the equivalent of 136 UCAS Tariff points, such as AAB at A Level or AAAAB at Scottish Higher.

Equivalent academic achievements from other education systems and qualification routes are considered. DLA Piper also considers mitigating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Personal Qualities

DLA Piper looks for candidates who can demonstrate a range of skills and behaviours relevant to legal practice.

Candidates should be self-motivated, proactive and determined, particularly when dealing with challenging situations. An interest in the relationship between law, business and technology is also important, including an understanding of global developments, regulatory change and the commercial context.

The programme also places emphasis on collaboration and inclusion. Candidates should be able to communicate clearly, listen actively and contribute constructively when working with others.

DLA Piper also looks for open-minded and solutions-focused candidates who are willing to suggest ideas, challenge conventional thinking and approach problems constructively.

Critical thinking and sound judgement are important. Candidates should be able to analyse complex situations from different perspectives, assess evidence objectively and understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI tools.

Accountability, reliability, commitment to quality and a willingness to learn from feedback are also important characteristics.

Right to Work

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK on a full-time basis, equivalent to 40 hours per week, for the entire duration of the Summer Internship.

Candidates holding a Student visa must be able to demonstrate that they are permitted to work full-time from the internship start date, normally around the third week of June, based on their university's official term and vacation dates.

DLA Piper does not provide visa sponsorship for the Summer Internship itself. Candidates who subsequently secure a place on the Future Lawyers Pathway and receive an offer to join the firm can be eligible for visa sponsorship when they commence the pathway.

Application Process

Applications for the 2027 Summer Internship opened on 21 September 2026.

Before beginning the application, candidates are taken through an anonymous Realistic Job Preview, which provides an opportunity to explore the role and DLA Piper's ways of working and receive personalised feedback.

After submitting the application, candidates complete the Contextual Recruitment System (CRS). Eligible candidates then progress to an online assessment. Applications and assessment results are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Candidates who progress beyond the online assessment may be invited to a virtual case study. Successful candidates may then be invited to an Assessment Centre. The current indicative timetable provides for virtual case studies from November or December 2026, depending on the office, with Assessment Centres commencing from January 2027. These dates may change.

A CV must be submitted with the application, but a cover letter is not required. DLA Piper does not accept speculative CVs sent directly to the firm.

Application Deadlines

The closing date depends on the office selected:

London: 23 October 2026 at 17:00 GMT

Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester: 20 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.

Candidates should apply to the office where they wish to undertake their future training programme, as the Summer Internship is aligned to a specific office.

Career Progression

Completion of the Summer Internship can lead to consideration for DLA Piper's Future Lawyers Pathway. The 2027 Summer Internship cohort will be assessed for a pathway commencing in Autumn 2029.

DLA Piper normally expects successful 2027 Summer Interns to progress to the 2029 pathway, although limited earlier start dates may be available depending on business requirements.