Updating Results

DLA Piper Australia

+ Add a review
4.1
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

DLA Piper Australia Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

DLA Piper is a global business law firm based in the Americas, EMEA and the Asia Pacific. We help clients succeed through innovative and pragmatic legal solutions. Leading businesses across the world trust us with their most complex matters and rely on our seamless cross-border prowess and sector knowledge. Wherever you are, and whatever your challenge, we speak your language.

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by four values: Be Supportive, Be Bold, Be Collaborative and Be Exceptional.

Life moves fast at DLA Piper, and with good reason. We help the world's top companies with their business-critical issues. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems.

As a firm, we never standstill. We think nimbly and seize opportunities. We're ambitious and are never afraid to innovate. So if you possess these qualities too, there could be a bright future for you at DLA Piper.

What to expect

A clerkship will be your first experience of DLA Piper. On a clerkship, you'll experience what life is really like at DLA Piper. What's more, you'll also be considered for a place in our graduate programme.

The graduate programme will see you rotating between different practice areas and rapidly acquiring the skills to be a successful lawyer.

During your graduate programme have an opportunity to engage in dynamic work across a range of sectors. Working alongside experienced lawyers, you'll develop your commercial acumen as well as your legal expertise. You'll also be encouraged to do 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are an everyday part of who we are and what we do.

We're a global firm with diverse clients and we know our clients expect us to represent the communities in which we work and value our advice on both local and global markets. Diversity isn't just about visible differences, it's the unique blend of talents, experiences and perspectives that make you who you are and we pride ourselves on having a culture and environment where everyone is valued for being themselves.

Wherever you are from, wherever you join and however long you stay, by joining our firm, you join our family. DLA is striving to achieve a culture where everyone's voice is heard and counts and where everyone can be themselves.

To support in achieving an inclusive culture. DLA has a number of people networks. These networks are internal communities with an interest or focus on a particular topic and are open to everyone.

These are:

  • Law (Gender Balance)
  • IRIS (LGBT+)
  • Mosaic: (Cultural Heritage & Ethnicity)
  • PACT (Family & Carers)

Recruitment Process

Apply online

Complete our online application form and upload a copy of your CV. This should showcase your achievements and experiences. You will then be asked to complete a response to a commercial awareness question. We don't require you to submit a cover letter. These are not reviewed.

Online assessment

If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete an online assessment.

Interview

If successful, you will be invited to a 1:1 Partner interview in our offices

Remuneration & Career Growth

Clerkships

Our paid summer clerkship is designed to give you insight into what DLA Piper is really like.

Our programme starts with an induction. This induction provides an advanced introduction to the legal sector and the firms practice groups. It also builds your professional skills and workplace capability. Throughout the induction there will be opportunities to hear from and network with senior members of the firm.

Once you are inducted you'll have the opportunity to complete work placements in our different practice groups. You'll be given real responsibilities. Whether you're attending a court hearing, contributing to a client meeting or assisting a large corporate transaction, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to reach your potential.

This year we will be recruiting clerks into all of our Australian offices, as follows:

  • Brisbane
  • Perth
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney

At the end of the clerkship, participants are assessed for a graduate position.

Application dates for our clerkship programme differ by state. Please refer to the opportunities available section for more information.

Graduate Programme

During your graduate programme, you'll experience three x six-month rotations throughout our eight different practice groups, giving you breadth in your knowledge of the law as well as the practical skills that will stay with you for your entire career.

At DLA Piper, we know that the connections you make as you build your network will stay with you for the rest of your career. At the start of your graduate programme, you will participate in a National Graduate Induction, which brings together our graduates from all 4 offices in Australia to take part in a fun, engaging and experiential learning programme. The Graduate Induction takes place in Sydney where we bring together our National graduate cohort and is an inspirational and memorable week filled with business leaders, engaging team building activities and the networking opportunity of a lifetime. We’re committed to giving our graduates an industry leading start to their careers..

By the end of your graduate programme, you will emerge with a clearer understanding of where your talent and interests lie. The experience you'll have gained – and the networks you'll have nurtured – will provide a strong foundation for your future career at DLA Piper.

Secondments

At DLA Piper we are committed to providing more of our people with the opportunity to experience a global secondment. Secondments provide a number of benefits to our clients, our business and of course to our people. Secondments are a critical element of our strategic agenda and are often based upon business needs. We offer a range of secondment opportunities through formal programmes, that are both short term and long term. We launched “The New Deal” in 2022 which has 4 different global secondment programmes our employees can participate in.

Our aim is to prioritise opportunities for our lawyers at the 1 – 3 year level to have an international experience as we understand that living and working in a new location and experiencing a new culture provides fantastic personal and career opportunities. 

Learning and development

All our people have access to formal training courses – ranging from technical courses, business, systems and skills training, to continuing legal education.

Our award-winning International Career Academies provide our lawyers with an opportunity to learn and enhance professional skills at key stages of their careers while developing their internal networks across the firm.

More than just work

As a member of the firm, you will have opportunities to take part in social events, join our sports teams and fundraise for the charity of your choice.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.1
Overall score based on 17 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.8
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.2
Culture
8.3
Diversity
8.8
Office Work Environment
8.8
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.2
Culture
8.3
Diversity
8.8
Office Work Environment
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Great team, good support, fairly flat level structure, above average market pay, transparent culture.
  • The work culture is supportive, and you have the opportunity to get involved in great quality work from the onset of your career.
  • I love that it has a "small firm" feel while taking on work that is of a "big firm" calibre. By this I mean that the office is small, very friendly, and welcoming, but at the same time we get a great variety of work with interesting, brand-name clients all the time.
  • Genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, reasonable working hours, supportive working environment, good mentorship.
  • I think the best thing is the people, it's what keeps you around, they brighten your day and feeling part of a community and team that supports each other makes work really satisfying. The global nature of the firm and the types of matters we get to work on are also very interesting and challenging.
  • The people at the firm are all very friendly, making the workplace environment a very collaborative one (as opposed to a competitive one). Individual teams and the firm as a whole host social events for its staff, which is another way the company aims to create an overall positive working environment.
  • Long working hours from time to time.
  • I think juggling the amount of work can be difficult given that teams are quite small, so you will have to take on a lot of responsibility early on and at any given time. This is both a pro and con.
  • There are some things that take time adjusting to such as managing competing deadlines and knowing how to approach those above you.
  • Given the nature of the work, sometimes you're expected to spend long nights doing menial work.
  • I think it has been hard starting in a new team while there is a flexible style of working, getting to know a team looks a bit different than it used to but I think it's the way of the future, so we need to become used to these new ways of working.
  • Work-Life Balance.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Melbourne, VIC
Work with brilliant lawyers. Develop your industry expertise. Experience life in a different culture. At DLA Piper, the possibilities are limitless.
Applications Close
13 Aug 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 55,000 - 65,000 / Year

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Brisbane, QLD
Work with brilliant lawyers. Develop your industry expertise. Experience life in a different culture. At DLA Piper, the possibilities are limitless.
Applications Close
11 Aug 2024
Start Date
20 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 55,000 - 65,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Everyone at DLA Piper has the opportunity to make an impact and shape their career by exploring their unique interests, whilst being meaningfully supported and challenged along the way.

Madina Eira

  • Graduate stories
Everyone at DLA Piper has the opportunity to make an impact and shape their career by exploring their unique interests, whilst being meaningfully supported and challenged along the way.

Madina Eira

  • Graduate stories
Being able to be meaningfully involved in a variety of work that I am genuinely passionate about. 

Halima Ansari

  • Graduate stories
Being able to be meaningfully involved in a variety of work that I am genuinely passionate about. 

Halima Ansari

  • Graduate stories
Everyone at DLA Piper has the opportunity to make an impact and shape their career by exploring their unique interests, whilst being meaningfully supported and challenged along the way.

Madina Eira

  • Graduate stories
Everyone at DLA Piper has the opportunity to make an impact and shape their career by exploring their unique interests, whilst being meaningfully supported and challenged along the way.

Madina Eira

  • Graduate stories
Being able to be meaningfully involved in a variety of work that I am genuinely passionate about. 

Halima Ansari

  • Graduate stories
Being able to be meaningfully involved in a variety of work that I am genuinely passionate about. 

Halima Ansari


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Aimee Griffin

We get all kinds of opportunities to be involved with pro bono initiatives and social groups within the firm.
  • Day in the life

Aimee Griffin

We get all kinds of opportunities to be involved with pro bono initiatives and social groups within the firm.
  • Day in the life

Tom Borland

DLA puts a huge emphasis on pro bono work and there is a great range of local and international initiatives graduates can get involved in if they are interested --- One of the best things about working on pro bono matters is the autonomy available to you, and it can often lead to you meeting and working with DLA lawyers from all over the world.
  • Day in the life

Tom Borland

DLA puts a huge emphasis on pro bono work and there is a great range of local and international initiatives graduates can get involved in if they are interested --- One of the best things about working on pro bono matters is the autonomy available to you, and it can often lead to you meeting and working with DLA lawyers from all over the world.
  • Day in the life

Aimee Griffin

We get all kinds of opportunities to be involved with pro bono initiatives and social groups within the firm.
  • Day in the life

Aimee Griffin

We get all kinds of opportunities to be involved with pro bono initiatives and social groups within the firm.
  • Day in the life

Tom Borland

DLA puts a huge emphasis on pro bono work and there is a great range of local and international initiatives graduates can get involved in if they are interested --- One of the best things about working on pro bono matters is the autonomy available to you, and it can often lead to you meeting and working with DLA lawyers from all over the world.
  • Day in the life

Tom Borland

DLA puts a huge emphasis on pro bono work and there is a great range of local and international initiatives graduates can get involved in if they are interested --- One of the best things about working on pro bono matters is the autonomy available to you, and it can often lead to you meeting and working with DLA lawyers from all over the world.