DLA Piper is a global business law firm based in the Americas, EMEA and the Asia Pacific. We help clients succeed through innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Leading businesses across the world trust us with their most complex matters and rely on our seamless cross-border prowess and sector knowledge. Wherever you are, and whatever your challenge, we speak your language.
In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by four values: Be Supportive, Be Bold, Be Collaborative and Be Exceptional.
Life moves fast at DLA Piper, and with good reason. We help the world's top companies with their business-critical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems.
As a firm, we never standstill. We think nimbly and seize opportunities. We're ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper.
A clerkship will be your first experience of DLA Piper. On a clerkship, you'll experience what life is really like at DLA Piper. What's more, you'll also be considered for a place in our graduate programme.
The graduate programme will see you rotating between different practice areas and rapidly acquiring the skills to be a successful lawyer.
During your graduate programme have an opportunity to engage in dynamic work across a range of sectors. Working alongside experienced lawyers, you'll develop your commercial acumen as well as your legal expertise. You'll also be encouraged to do pro bono and community work; not only because it's the right thing to do, but because it will develop your skills in leadership, teamwork and communication.
Diversity and inclusion are an everyday part of who we are and what we do.
We're a global firm with diverse clients and we know our clients expect us to represent the communities in which we work and value our advice on both local and global markets. Diversity isn't just about visible differences, it's the unique blend of talents, experiences and perspectives that make you who you are and we pride ourselves on having a culture and environment where everyone is valued for being themselves.
Wherever you are from, wherever you join and however long you stay, by joining our firm, you join our family. DLA is striving to achieve a culture where everyone's voice is heard and counts and where everyone can be themselves.
To support in achieving an inclusive culture. DLA has a number of people networks. These networks are internal communities with an interest or focus on a particular topic and are open to everyone.
These are:
Complete our online application form and upload a copy of your CV. This should showcase your achievements and experiences. You will then be asked to complete a response to a commercial awareness question. We don't require you to submit a cover letter. These are not reviewed.
If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete an online assessment.
If successful, you will be invited to a 1:1 Partner interview in our offices
Our paid summer clerkship is designed to give you insight into what DLA Piper is really like.
Our programme starts with an induction. This induction provides an advanced introduction to the legal sector and the firms practice groups. It also builds your professional skills and workplace capability. Throughout the induction there will be opportunities to hear from and network with senior members of the firm.
Once you are inducted you'll have the opportunity to complete work placements in our different practice groups. You'll be given real responsibilities. Whether you're attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting or assisting a large corporate transaction, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to reach your potential.
This year we will be recruiting clerks into all of our Australian offices, as follows:
At the end of the clerkship, participants are assessed for a graduate position.
Application dates for our clerkship programme differ by state. Please refer to the opportunities available section for more information.
During your graduate programme, you'll experience three x six-month rotations throughout our eight different practice groups, giving you breadth in your knowledge of the law as well as the practical skills that will stay with you for your entire career.
At DLA Piper, we know that the connections you make as you build your network will stay with you for the rest of your career. At the start of your graduate programme, you will participate in a National Graduate Induction, which brings together our graduates from all 4 offices in Australia to take part in a fun, engaging and experiential learning programme. The Graduate Induction takes place in Sydney where we bring together our National graduate cohort and is an inspirational and memorable week filled with business leaders, engaging team building activities and the networking opportunity of a lifetime. We’re committed to giving our graduates an industry leading start to their careers..
By the end of your graduate programme, you will emerge with a clearer understanding of where your talent and interests lie. The experience you'll have gained – and the networks you'll have nurtured – will provide a strong foundation for your future career at DLA Piper.
At DLA Piper we are committed to providing more of our people with the opportunity to experience a global secondment. Secondments provide a number of benefits to our clients, our business and of course to our people. Secondments are a critical element of our strategic agenda and are often based upon business needs. We offer a range of secondment opportunities through formal programmes, that are both short term and long term. We launched “The New Deal” in 2022 which has 4 different global secondment programmes our employees can participate in.
Our aim is to prioritise opportunities for our lawyers at the 1 – 3 year level to have an international experience as we understand that living and working in a new location and experiencing a new culture provides fantastic personal and career opportunities.
All our people have access to formal training courses – ranging from technical courses, business, systems and skills training, to continuing legal education.
Our award-winning International Career Academies provide our lawyers with an opportunity to learn and enhance professional skills at key stages of their careers while developing their internal networks across the firm.
As a member of the firm, you will have opportunities to take part in social events, join our sports teams and fundraise for the charity of your choice.