Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - September 2025 - DLA Piper

Applications are open late 2024 and will be open on a rolling basis, we would recommend applying early for the office you are interested in to avoid missing out.

Overview: 

The opportunities and experiences you’ll have on our solicitor apprenticeship will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in a career in law. You’ll be earning while you learn, with no university fees or student debt.

Your time with us:

Explore the intersection between law and business. Discover how an international law firm makes an impact in the UK and around the world. Develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career. You’ll do all this and more on our six-year Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme.

As a solicitor apprentice, you’ll get the qualifications and experience you need to start a global career that transcends traditional boundaries. You’ll be part of a firm that embraces new ideas and fosters progress. With a focus on shaping the future of law, you’ll do work that’s as diverse as the world we live in.

On the solicitor apprenticeship, you’ll be earning while you learn, with no university fees or student debt. You’ll spend one day a week with our training provider, the University of Law, studying towards:

• A government accredited Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship (equivalent to a master’s degree)
• A law degree (LLB) in Legal Practice and Skills
• The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

You’ll also:

• Complete work-based learning (four days a week) by working in our practice groups. You’ll complete rotations (work placements in different practice groups) across the office to use the knowledge and skills learn from your academic studies;
• Have access to international and client secondment opportunities;
• Be at the forefront of legal innovation, working on high-profile, cross-border projects that will shape the future of law and business. You’ll see how we think across borders to find creative solutions for our clients;
• Join a forward-looking, friendly team while collaborating with colleagues around the world to drive results you’re proud of;
• Develop your knowledge and skills through structured learning and development opportunities in our supportive culture;
• Be supported by a strong internal network of supervisors, buddies, and mentors who’ll set you up for success and guide you in identifying your own personal and professional goals;
• Have a dedicated apprenticeship programme manager and tuition provider skills coach who’ll work with you to ensure your journey on the apprenticeship reflects your career aspirations. You’ll receive the highest standard of pastoral care to help you balance your role alongside your academic studies;
• Be part of an international early careers community of talented colleagues who’ll become part of your global network;
• Have opportunities to engage with initiatives beyond your role, including getting involved with our people networks, legal tech, sustainability and pro bono work;
• Enjoy a working environment where your wellbeing is always a priority, and your workload will be managed so you can always deliver your best; and
• Emerge from the programme not just as a qualified lawyer, but as a global business advisor equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

You’ll have the freedom to discover your own path and make an extraordinary impact beyond the borders of traditional law. Tomorrow’s legal industry can’t hire yesterday’s skills.

Unlock your potential and start building a different kind of legal career.

Eligibility:

As a firm we do not have any academic requirements to apply for our solicitor apprenticeship, however the tuition providers we work with do have minimum academic requirements.

• You will need at least three C’s at A Level and five GCSEs, including Maths and English, or equivalent, at Grade C/4 or above.
• You need to have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for the last three years.

What we look for:

In addition to the eligibility criteria, we’re looking for individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds who have the potential to thrive at our firm.

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

• Have an interest in international law and business;
• Have a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset and be excited about doing things differently in the legal industry;
• Be self-motivated by a strong desire to achieve your personal and professional goals;
• Enjoy collaborating with others while also enjoying independent study;
• Have a growth mindset so you see setbacks as learning opportunities, and you’ll proactively look for ways to grow and develop;
• Enjoy working in an ever-changing environment and understand the importance of being flexible at work;
• Enjoy taking ownership of tasks and thinking critically; and
• Be an advocate of apprenticeships as an alternative route into law and know how to embed DLA Piper’s values into your work.

About us:

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world.

We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

Our values:

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative – we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold – we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional – we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

Diversity and inclusion:

At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

Hybrid 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 and where relevant, 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 work-related references.