Law Students
Where high performance is the standard
Summer associate program
Our summer program is built for law students who are driven, intellectually curious, and ready to thrive in a fast-paced environment. If that sounds like you, come join our team.
Relentless excellence
We are a leading global law firm where high performance is the standard. We created our summer associate program for law students who bring ambition, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to excel in a fast-paced setting.
Unmatched professionalism
You will be integrated into one of our core practice groups and supported by top-tier lawyers who are invested in your growth and development. From your earliest days at DLA Piper, you will gain hands-on experience on active client matters that may include drafting advocacy letters, preparing closing checklists, drafting motions, participating in client meetings, and attending court hearings.
Rigorous training
From day one, you will be immersed in a rigorous training curriculum. Our 10-week program builds practical fluency in Gen AI and other innovative tools. It culminates in a two-and-a-half-day event with senior leaders, learning sessions, and lasting connections.
Working with us
Your legal career starts with real work, support, and momentum. You are welcomed into the practice and challenged to grow from day one. This is a firm where opportunity follows capability.
Step into the practice
During your two-day practice group immersion, you will hear directly from leaders, build knowledge through focused training, and connect with your colleagues. This is your opportunity to learn what drives your team, ask smart questions, and start building professional relationships.
A firmwide experience
The Summer Academy is the centerpiece of the program. Over two and a half days, you will meet our senior leadership, take part in training sessions that sharpen your skills, and build a network with other summer associates from across the country.
Onboarding and firm integration
You'll receive a support team and structured onboarding to help you succeed with world-class clients in a collaborative, supportive culture.
Giving back
Beyond client work, you'll engage in pro bono opportunities such as immigration clinics, domestic violence support, and community volunteering, making a difference for our clients and communities.
Our impact
In the Impact by DLA Piper series, our people share the stories behind impactful work for clients and communities around the world.
Hear from the leaders behind these matters and initiatives as they discuss the challenges, opportunities and outcomes that define their work.
Practice area overviews
Interview tips and FAQ
Interview tips
You should apply directly via the law student career site. If offered an interview, the process will start with a virtual meeting with a lawyer, arranged directly through the firm’s Law School Recruiting team or via your law school career services office. Following the initial interview, there may be a callback interview, typically involving multiple attorneys from a particular practice area and local office. These interviews will include behavior-based interview questions and questions about your experience. The firm will also evaluate your writing sample as part of the interview process.
Yes, you may still apply without your grades or a legal writing sample. We understand that these may not be available at the time of application. When they are finalized, please send them to our Law School Recruitment team.
Our culture is shaped by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to continuous learning. As a global firm with a broad perspective and deep capabilities, we offer meaningful work and a supportive platform to help you grow and advance at every stage of your career.
Please email our Law School Recruiting team.
Apply to all positions for which you would like to be considered.
The best way to connect with a DLA Piper lawyer is through an event or program at your school. If those opportunities are not available, our Talent Acquisition team may be able to help connect you with a lawyer based on your interests and availability. Lawyers often have limited availability, and speaking with one is not required for consideration.
As a summer associate, you are hired directly into practice groups. As part of the application process, summer associates are asked to declare which practice they are most interested in working.
We host summer associates in many of our offices each year. The specific offices recruiting for each practice group are included in the job descriptions.
The summer associate program is open to 1Ls and 2Ls.
You can explore open roles, including any 3L openings, on our careers website.
You may log in to the career portal to view the status of your application.
To explore opportunities outside the US, visit:
DLA Piper careers in Asia Pacific | DLA Piper careers in Canada | DLA Piper careers in EMEA | DLA Piper careers in Latin America
DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants have rights under Federal employment laws which may be viewed in the Job Applicant Poster Viewing Center. | California Job Applicant Privacy Notice | Fraud Alert