DLA Piper LLP (US)

DLA Piper's real estate practice is consistently ranked number one globally, and the firm is a dominant force in corporate M&A, technology, finance, and intellectual property. The firm regularly handles cross-border transactions that span multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, giving associates exposure to international deal work from their first year. Its sector-focused approach, with dedicated teams in technology, life sciences, energy, and financial services, means you are staffed with lawyers who deeply understand the industries they serve.

The culture at DLA Piper is collegial and globally minded. The firm emphasizes inclusion and invests heavily in mentorship, with associates describing a welcoming environment backed by a genuine drive for professional growth. The Summer Associate Academy brings the entire summer class together for a multi-day retreat to meet senior leadership and build relationships across offices, creating a cohort experience that extends well beyond the summer.

DLA Piper's summer program runs approximately 10 weeks with a free-market assignment system and a class of roughly 80 summers. The firm recruits broadly from top law schools and values candidates who demonstrate cross-cultural awareness and intellectual curiosity. With a 2,000-hour billable target and PPP north of $2.3 million, DLA Piper pairs global scale with competitive economics, a combination that is genuinely hard to find elsewhere.