Summer Internship 2027

Dla-Piper; Brussel Hoofdstad; Sur place; Plein temps

Description du poste

Explore the intersection between law and business. Find out how an international law firm makes an impact in Belgium and across the world. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more during your 1 month internship in our Brussels offices in Belgium (Brussels and Antwerp working hub). We offer internship in July and August.

Your time with us

This isn’t just a chance to shadow our lawyers. You’ll play a real role in our teams and take on real responsibility from day one. Whether attending court hearings, working with clients, or developing your professional network, you’ll experience the cutting edge of the legal sector and how law can unlock potential across the world and in your own career. That includes seeing how a purpose-led organisation makes a difference through our pro bono work and sustainability commitments.

The internship is your chance to see if law is a career you can thrive in. You’ll be giving your career the best platform by developing your personal and professional skills that will be valued in any sector you choose to continue into.

During the internship, you will

• Experience the complexities of our work and discover how you can make a real impact around the world. You’ll see how we think across borders to find creative solutions for our clients.
• Join a forward-looking, friendly team while collaborating with colleagues across the world.
• Develop your knowledge and skills through structured learning and development opportunities and our supportive culture.
• Be supported by a strong network of supervisors, buddies, and mentors to develop your confidence and identify your own personal and professional goals.
• Be part of an international early careers community full of talented colleagues who’ll become part of your global network.
• Have opportunities to engage with initiatives beyond your role, including legal tech, sustainability and pro bono work.
• Enjoy a working environment where your wellbeing is always a priority, and your workload will be managed to ensure you can always deliver your best.

You’ll have the freedom to discover your own path and make an extraordinary impact beyond the borders of traditional law. Tomorrow’s legal industry can’t hire yesterday’s skills.

Come and show us your strengths in action, and following your time with us you may be offered to start your bar traineeship a place on the bar traineeship.

Unlock your potential and start your journey to building a different kind of legal career.

About you

You’ll need to be a strong English speaker, reader, and writer. Also:

• You’ll be fluent in either Dutch or French.
• You’ll be a current Master of law student at a Belgian university.
• If you’re applying for EU competition law, global trade or government affairs, you’ll be a Master of law student at any university within the EU (a Belgian degree is not mandatory).
• You’ll have a consistently strong academic record.
• You’ll have the right to work in Belgium for the duration of the programme (38 hours per week). We are unable to sponsor visas for the internship.
• Only one application can be made per year. We welcome applications from candidates who have been unsuccessful in previous years.

Recruitment Process

We will ask you to take an Online Assessement after which you could be invited to an Assessement Center taking place in October. You will be notified of your selection status for the Assessment Center in September.

What we look for

In addition to the eligibility criteria, we’re looking for individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds who have the potential to thrive at our firm.

To succeed on our Early Careers programmes, you don’t need any specific legal experience or education, but you will:

• Have an interest in international law and business.
• Have a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset and will be excited about doing things differently in the legal industry.
• Be self-motivated by a strong desire to achieve your personal and professional goals.
• Enjoy collaborating with others and will be instinctively socially aware.
• Have a growth mindset. You’ll see setbacks as learning opportunities, and you’ll proactively look for ways to grow and develop.
• Enjoy working in an ever-changing environment.
• Enjoy taking ownership of tasks and thinking critically.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

For our people, that means a world of opportunity. You'll shape the future, have the freedom to seize opportunities, and discover your own path. Together, we unlock our potential and redefine what we can achieve.

At DLA Piper, diversity, equity, and inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging. We strive towards a workplace and culture where everyone feels that they belong, that their voice counts and that they can prosper in their career. For us, diversity is about the unique blend of talents, skills, experiences, and perspectives that make each of us an individual. We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to agile working.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long‑term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.