DLA Piper LLP (US)

• “DLA Piper has a robust training program for summer associates and new associates and expects that summer associates will be engaged in substantive work. The assignment of tasks can be through your own sourcing or centralized.”
• “The training opportunities at DLA Piper are great. All of the summer associates get sent to a Summer Associate Academy where everyone gets to meet each other and get trained together. They also have a centralized work platform where summer associates can find work.”
• “There was substantial training and various work assignments across practice areas and partners. Feedback was given on each assignment, and there was a midsummer review and end-of-summer review.”
• “Participated in practice-specific training, including transaction life cycles, transaction fundamentals, and artificial intelligence training. Engaged in real client matters and pro bono opportunities with firm attorneys.”

• “The social side of the program was genuinely one of the highlights. The firm made a real effort to help all the summer associates across the country connect with each other and with attorneys across all levels. The events were fun, well thought-out, and well-organized, and what really stood out for me was how approachable everyone was.”
• “The firm is very intentional with the summer programming it provides for its summer associates. Every event was well-attended by not only the summers but also firm attorneys at all levels, and everyone was not only nice but also genuinely invested in each other as friends. The camaraderie among summers was incredible, and my group became close not only with each other but also other summers from across offices. The firm attorneys were also extremely friendly and frequently had impromptu lunches or coffees with associates and partners.”
• “The firm did an excellent job in bolstering camaraderie among summer associates. The firm organized events every week [at] which partners and associates were encouraged to attend. My favorite events consisted of going to the Yankees game and attending the Summer Associate Academy in Austin.”
• “Attended social events such as an associate training academy, sports games, cooking classes, painting classes, and dinners with firm attorneys and summer associates.”

• “Generally speaking, as a first-year or new graduate/law clerk, the expectation is that general litigation associates take any type of work available. But, if you express your interests or have specialized training, there is room to take on more substantive assignments in your area of interest. The firm takes a capability-first approach regardless of your class year, which is a departure from the industry standard and the way the summer associate program is run.”
• “Sourcing work as a new first-year associate has proven to be slightly more difficult as compared to a summer associate.”
• “I thought that I would be getting more tough feedback on my work, but the environment was much more relaxed than I thought it would be. However, if I really asked for it, attorneys were willing to give more in-depth feedback and [address] any doubts or concerns I might have. It was a nice surprise to know that anyone I spoke to was more than willing to help me. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much the firm has invested and is growing its patent litigation group, as well as other practice areas.”
• “Over the summer, I worked with many attorneys outside of the office in which I worked. Granted, I have not had much time on the job yet; to date, I have worked only with attorneys in my office. I have no qualms with that, and I do not feel that I will be unable to work with attorneys across offices when the time comes. Additionally, I feel my workload as a law clerk is a little less diversified than it was as a summer associate, but that is a welcome difference because I am happy to begin concentrating in my choice of practice area.”

• “Definitely the Summer Associate Academy in Orlando, Florida! It was a great way to meet and build relationships with the other summer associates.”
• “Since I am a huge baseball fan, my favorite event was when we attended a San Francisco Giants game. We had drinks and hors d'oeuvres before the game.”
• “My favorite summer event was a cannoli-making class hosted by a chef in Italy.”
• “Topgolf, happy hours at various partners' houses.”

At DLA Piper, your legal career begins with momentum. Our 10-week Summer Associate Program, spanning 12 U.S. offices, immerses top law students in the work, people, and opportunities that shape a global platform.

From day one, you’ll engage in three signature program pillars: Professionalism, Practice Group Training, and Innovation in Law, which includes in-depth GenAI training that reflects where the profession is headed. You’ll take on meaningful assignments, attend client meetings and hearings, devote time to pro bono, and gain practical skills alongside experienced lawyers. Each summer associate is assigned a dedicated integration team to provide guidance, resources, and support to ensure success.

Program highlights include the Summer Associate Academy and a practice group immersion, offering opportunities to meet DLA Piper’s senior leaders, sharpen core legal skills, and build lasting connections.