Summer programs

The summer associate program provided me with a great opportunity to get a jump start on building relationships with associates and partners whom I would likely work with as a junior associate. Having those relationships made the transition from summer associate to first-year associate much smoother."

Stephanie Lim

Patent Litigation Group, Chicago

Stephanie Lim

From the first day of my summer program, I was treated like a member of the team and given projects similar to those I would work on as a first-year associate. That insight into life as a junior associate made me extremely confident accepting the firm's offer to return after law school. As a partner now, I try to pay that experience forward by staffing our summer associates on real deals and providing them with substantive junior associate experiences."

Tyler Hollenbeck

Corporate Partner, Seattle

Tyler Hollenbeck

Being a junior associate doesn't, and shouldn't, limit you to doing just unsexy work – take ownership of your projects and extend yourself. It also doesn't, and shouldn't, limit you to all work and no play – maintain the fun and balance in your life."

Jaspreet Mann

Corporate Associate, San Francisco

Jaspreet Mann

My DLA Piper summer associate experience provided me with valuable insight into the culture of the firm. Most importantly, though, I forged meaningful relationships with the staff, associates and partners, which enabled me to accelerate my integration into the firm when I started as an associate."

Mark Tang

Real Estate Partner, Boston

Mark Tang

Hear from our summer associates

During the summer associate program, our lawyers will provide you with a stimulating, realistic and exciting taste of legal life. You'll experience challenging days filled with client work, relationship-building opportunities and lively activities. You will be engaged and make an impact in a range of legal assignments and practice areas.

Pro Bono
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Pro Bono
The Work
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The Work
Culture
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Culture
Retreat
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Retreat
Krantz Fellowship
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Krantz Fellowship

"This firm really has an unparalleled commitment to pro bono."– Sara Andrews on Pro Bono

"You will have the opportunity to work in the office and community where you live to make a difference in pro bono."– Sara Andrews on Pro Bono

"They bring you on at a steady pace and make sure you have a solid foundation of fundamentals before throwing you into the thick of things."– Summers on the Work

"Being able to observe a partner on the phone with a client and seeing a semester's worth of negotiating training packed into 9 minutes... was one of the most impactful things. I learned a lot from that."– Summers on the Work

"It's very important to be with people you can relate to and who you feel will mentor you. I've been blessed with that opportunity here at DLA Piper."– Summers on the Culture

"There is a high level of professionalism and people take their job very seriously, but it's very much a collegial atmosphere."– Summers on the Culture

"The people in the office genuinely enjoy each other and each other's company and I really appreciate that."–Summers on the Culture

"People work hard. They do good work, but at the same time, they are very collegial with each other."– Summers on the Culture

"People mentor each other and they work a lot together; it's a team."– Summers on the Culture

"DLA Piper really stuck out to me most because of the people I met. Everyone was super friendly and outgoing and extremely intelligent - all people I aspire to be and hopefully learn from as a future lawyer."– Summers on the Culture

"You can spend hours at a time in your office working on a single project, but you are working with people who are fun, people who have a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves too seriously."– Summers on the Culture

"It's really great to hear a message from somebody at the top of the law firm that's genuine. Someone's letting you know that they care about you from the ground up."– Summers on the Retreat

"Aside from meeting people and having fun with them, I've learned that these are some of the people I might work with down the road, so it's really great to make those connections at such an early stage."– Summers on the Retreat

"There is definitely something about DLA Piper that seems to be a little more progressive, more open."– Summers

"If you're working in a collaborative environment, you are the best version of yourself."– Summers

"I wasn't interested in going to a firm where I was in competition with other attorneys. I was interested in going to a firm where I was in competition with myself and supported by other attorneys."– Summers

"People are there to support you whether it's fellow summer associates or other attorneys at the firm."– Summers

Choose to have a different summer experience

Where you spend your summer is an important decision. Our summer program allows you to experience life as a lawyer through practice and observation. You'll also be encouraged to take part in our 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. We are committed to providing a standout experience and are proud to offer the following opportunities; click below to learn more:

Giving Back

Krantz Fellowship

Krantz Fellowship

The Krantz Fellowship provides two first-year associates the opportunity to spend their initial year of practice fully engaged on pro bono matters.

Giving Back

Community Projects

Community Projects

Our Los Angeles office prepared meals for more than 60 families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Giving Back

Community Projects

Community Projects

During the summers, many of our offices have helped Habitat For Humanity build houses.

Giving Back

Community Projects

Community Projects

Our San Diego office took part in a food packing event, sorting and repacking avocados, which were then distributed throughout San Diego via Feeding America San Diego's hunger relief programs.

Summer Associate Retreat

The highlight of the summer associate program is the 2.5-day firmwide summer associate retreat. Among past locations: Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and New York.

Summer Associate Retreat

Meeting firm leadership

Meeting firm leadership

Summer associates have a chance to hear from and interact with DLA Piper's senior leaders to learn about the firm's history, vision and values.

Summer Associate Retreat

Building skills

Building skills

The retreat includes training sessions to help summer associates develop the skills they will need as they launch their legal careers.

Summer Associate Retreat

Build connections

Build connections

Each year, summer associates form friendships and working relationships that will span their careers.

Projects, Training and Experience

Summer associates are engaged in a range of legal assignments and practice areas. In past years, summer associates have actively participated in projects such as drafting a board consent, deposition preparation, preparing cross-examination outlines and researching legal issues.

Projects, Training and Experience

Summer associates have the opportunity to observe more senior lawyers conducting high-value legal activities such as attending trials, depositions, negotiations, closings, arbitrations and client meetings.

Projects, Training and Experience

The summer associate training programs cover topics such as legal writing, ethics, legal research, contract drafting, negotiations, business development and relationship building.

Projects, Training and Experience

Feedback and mentorship is critical. Our lawyers are committed to providing summer associates with immediate and meaningful feedback throughout the program. Summer associates also receive written evaluations for each assignment they complete. Additionally, each summer associate is assigned one or two mentors to act as their guide for the summer.

Projects, Training and Experience

Experience working for our clients by working with them

Experience working for our clients by working with them

In some of our offices, summer associates are given the opportunity to work side by side with a DLA Piper client for up to a week during the summer associate program.

Life Isn't All Work

Baseball game

Baseball game

Take me out the ballgame! From Silicon Valley to Baltimore to New York, our summer associates enjoy one of America’s favorite past-times while cheering on their favorite baseball teams.

Life Isn't All Work

Cooking class

Cooking class

After years of eating macaroni and cheese as students, our summer associates love the chance to participate in cooking classes across the country. They have a terrific time working as a team to create new dishes.

Life Isn't All Work

Escape the room

Escape the room

In the ultimate test of teamwork and puzzle solving, many of our summer associates try their hands at escaping the room.

Life Isn't All Work

Dinners

Dinners

Summer associates get to experience some of the best food in cities across the country.

Career progression

Where will your career path take you?
Meet three of our partners and learn from their experiences.

Go to Career Progression

Who we look for

There is more than one way to be a successful attorney, and we are proud to have a population of diverse lawyers whose everyday practice styles vary. This is why we do not look for one prototype. We are searching for candidates who blend skills that include a strong academic record and superior personal qualities. Below are just a few of the elements that can make an individual stand out from the rest. Flip the boxes to learn more.

Exceptional

We seek candidates who are strategic and driven and who work to exceed our clients’ standards and expectations.

Bold

Our lawyers are fearless and inquisitive. They challenge themselves to think big and find creative new solutions.

Collaborative

Our teams are comprised of proactive, passionate attorneys who invest in their relationships.

Supportive

We expect our community to be compassionate and inclusive. We value diversity and act thoughtfully at every opportunity.

Interview tips

Our interviewers are excited to learn more about you and to help you to learn more about DLA Piper, our people and what attorney life is like here. We understand that interviewing can be nerve-racking, but remember: you are interviewing us, too.

FAQs

Please see our most frequently asked questions below.

Contact us

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