DLA Piper is a leading global law firm with offices in 28 countries worldwide.
The organization boasts more than 3,700 lawyers who work across international boundaries in a wide range of areas, from Corporate and Human Resources to Intellectual Property and Real Estate. The firm’s clients include large multinationals, governments, and financial institutions as well as start up enterprises developing industry-leading technologies. Building strong client relationships is at the core of the organization’s business. This is pertinently expressed in its brand – Everything Matters.
In DLA Piper’s own words, this means that where the client is concerned, “if it matters to them, it matters to us.” Markets around the world might be internationalizing, but they are not necessarily becoming the same. For this reason, the firm remains committed to the local markets which the organization believes are “the building blocks of international business.” The organization was formed as the result of a 2005 merger between three firms: Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP, DLA LLP, and Piper Rundnick LLP.
In 2007, the firm reported more than $2.1 billion in revenue, making it one of the largest law firms in the world.
We understand that as one of the world's leading employers in the legal sector our continued success depends on our most important asset – our people – which is why we take so much care in recruiting and retaining the best.
Our commitment to our people is enshrined in our core values which underpin everything we do. We offer exceptional career opportunities to lawyers, aspiring graduates and business support professionals in an environment that is challenging, rewarding and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. Upon joining DLA Piper as a graduate trainee, you will spend the first couple of days on a residential induction course to help you settle into the organization. During the remainder of the training contract, you will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas. As part of your training, you will sit with a partner or associate and learn through practice and observation. Alongside on-the-job training, all trainees receive high quality legal training and professional skills development.
The firm has a relatively small intake of trainees which means you will receive in-depth experience with excellent prospects. What’s more, all UK trainees are eligible to apply for a secondment to DLA Piper offices worldwide.
Our Values
People are fundamental to our success. That is why we have set out values which explain what is important about the people who work with us: We believe in diversity, respect for the individual and teamwork. We believe in the development of all our people and the enhancement of their skills as professionals. The Training Environment Taking on a relatively small number of trainees enables us to offer in-depth experience and excellent prospects. Trainees spend the first few days of their training contract on a residential induction course, which has been designed specifically to help them to settle in and to give them necessary background information and skills.
During their training contract, trainees will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas, one of which must be contentious. Trainees sit with a partner or associate and learn through practice and observation. Regular feedback and the quarterly performance management process enable trainees to set and review training and development objectives.As well as on-the-job training, we also provide a specifically designed high quality legal training and development programme for trainees. This includes the Professional Skills Course, which is compulsory for trainees in England and Wales. However, trainees in Edinburgh/Glasgow may be asked to attend certain elements which are considered beneficial for their development. These courses are mainly residential and run nationally, therefore you have the benefit of meeting up regularly with trainees from other offices. We offer a first class training environment, involving work which is intellectually stimulating, technically demanding and challenging!
We are progressive and forward thinking. We need exceptional people with ambition and drive and a desire to succeed in business. As an academic minimum, we require candidates who possess a minimum of 300 UCAS points (or equivalent) in one academic year, and a 2.1 degree (expected/obtained) in any discipline.
Throughout the recruitment process we will be looking for applicants to demonstrate the following skills and qualities:
Drive and determination to succeed
Written and oral communication skills
Teamwork
Analytical skills - handling complex data
Commercial awareness
Organisational skills
Attention to detail
Resilience
Loyalty
Ability to work to deadlines
An appetite for life – knowing how to have fun!
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DLA Piper UK LLP
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4DL