Summer Internship 2027 - Northwest (Manchester Office)

Dla-Piper; Manchester; On-site; GBP 1,500 - 2,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

DLA Piper is offering a two to three week, in-person paid internship in London for law students and graduates exploring commercial law. You will participate in an interactive induction, observe court hearings, and work on real client matters alongside senior professionals.

The programme supports development through mentors, structured learning and exposure to technology, sustainability and responsible business practices.

Qualifications

• No prior legal experience required for success.
• AAB at A-Level or equivalent.
• On track for a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship not provided.
• Submit a single application per year for one Summer Internship programme.

Responsibilities

• During the internship, you will attend court hearings, work directly with clients, and gain hands-on experience of life at a global law firm.
• You’ll see the impact we make in the UK and around the world while exploring the intersection of law, business and technology.
• You’ll start building the foundations of a career in commercial law, gaining hands-on experience alongside colleagues and clients on high-value matters.
• This internship goes beyond shadowing; you’ll be part of the team, trusted to contribute meaningfully to client work.
• You’ll develop skills, behaviours and mindset to thrive as a commercial lawyer, while building relationships with partners, lawyers and trainees.

Skills

Global business interest

Fresh perspectives

Proactive

Collaborative work

Lifelong learning

Analytical thinking

Ownership of work

Education

AAB at A-Level

2:1 undergraduate degree

University of Law entry requirements

Job description

Join a law firm that spans continents and cultures. With over 90 offices in more than 40 countries, we’re one global team. Collaborate with colleagues and clients worldwide on high-value, complex work that shapes industries, markets and communities.

We have a high-performance mindset. Our people are recognised as leaders in their fields and known for their commercial insight. You’ll be expected to show initiative, ask questions, and push yourself to grow.

Here, you’ll learn by doing, taking on responsibility early and discovering what high performance looks like in practice. On our summer internship, you’ll be trusted to contribute and supported in finding your strengths.

At DLA Piper, your career is defined by the challenges you take on, the people you learn from and the impact you choose to make.

Your time with us

During the two to three week, in-person, paid internship, you could attend court hearings, work directly with clients, collaborate with leading professionals and gain hands-on experience of life at a global law firm.

You’ll see the impact we make in the UK and around the world while exploring the intersection of law, business and technology. You’ll start building the foundations of a career in commercial law, gaining hands-on experience alongside colleagues and clients on high-value matters.

This internship goes beyond shadowing. You'll be part of the team, trusted to contribute meaningfully to client work.

Discover how DLA Piper combines legal know how, business insight and innovation to deliver exceptional client outcomes. You’ll develop the skills, behaviours and mindset needed to thrive as a commercial lawyer, while building relationships with partners, lawyers and trainees who will guide your growth and development.

During the internship, you will:

• Start your journey with an interactive induction in London, connecting with fellow interns from across the programme and building your network from day one
• Immerse yourself in complex work, contribute to real client matters, and gain insight into how our practice and sector groups help clients navigate change
• Accelerate your development through structured learning opportunities that will strengthen your professional skills
• Benefit from a network of supervisors, buddies and mentors who will encourage and challenge you and help you make the most of your experience
• Broaden your perspective by exploring areas such as legal technology, sustainability, and responsible business, highlighting the various ways you can make an impact at DLA Piper

Seeing possibilities is just the start. Acting on them is what matters.

To apply you must be:

• A law student in your second year of a three-year degree, third year of a four-year degree, final year of study, or a graduate/career changer; or
• A non-law student in the final year of your degree, or a graduate/career changer
• Please note: If your law degree is not recognised by the relevant legal regulatory body as a qualifying law degree in the country/jurisdiction where you are applying, you must be in your final year of study or be a graduate/career changer

You should also:

• Have achieved AAB at A-Level (or equivalent)
• Be on track to achieve, or have already achieved, a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
• Meet the entry requirements set out on the University of Law website
• Have the right to work full time for the duration of the programme in your chosen location. DLA Piper is unable to sponsor visas for the Summer Internship programme
• Submit only one application per year for one Summer Internship programme

We recognise that individual circumstances vary and will consider mitigating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

What we look for

We’re looking for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who have the potential to thrive in a career in law.

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

• Have a genuine interest in global business and commercial law, with an enthusiasm for learning and exploring different practice areas
• Bring fresh perspectives and are excited by the opportunity to challenge convention and embrace new ways of working
• Are proactive, self-motivated and driven to achieve your personal and professional goals
• Enjoy working collaboratively, build strong relationships, and value diverse perspectives and experiences
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and development, using feedback and challenges as opportunities to improve
• Approach problems thoughtfully, considering evidence and different viewpoints before reaching well-reasoned conclusions
• Take ownership of your work and demonstrate a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes

About us

We’re a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. 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. At DLA Piper, you’ll find the most interesting work, experience the riches of other cultures, and enjoy the complexity of an interconnected world.

On our Early Careers programmes, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to give your career the best platform.

Inclusion at our firm is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each person brings to our firm, so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Before starting your application, you'll be taken to our anonymous Realistic Job Preview to explore the role, learn about our ways of working and receive personalised feedback.

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.