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DLA Piper Lateral Profile 2025
DLA is quite the catch. The firm picks up over 100 ranked departments in our sister guide Chambers USA, with the highest awards going to the firm’s corporate, investment funds, bankruptcy and restructuring, healthcare, IP, real estate and technology work (to name just a few.) Not bad for a firm only founded in 2005! Especially as DLA has collected a presence in over 40 countries globally in this short time, along with the 26 offices in the US alone - it really doesn’t get much bigger than that. As such, inter-office work forms the norm.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“The people and the opportunities. I value the opportunities DLA has to offer and the brilliant minds of those I am able to work with.”
“During the interview process, I got the sense that people were honest with me about themselves and what they liked about their respective jobs and the firm. It seemed like a place where I could feel comfortable being myself, and I have since found that to be true.”
“Available practice areas; hybrid remote flexibility; encouraging partners; emphasis on work-balance; support of pro-bono work; supportive benefits.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Energy careers
The view from the firm: In a world where the demands for energy are growing exponentially, those operating in the energy sector are looking to their lawyers to provide more than legal skill; they are seeking in-depth sector know-how and innovative solutions for their businesses. DLA Piper's energy and natural resources sector lawyers deliver to our clients the focused, innovative sector advice they need. Our team leverages critical practice skillsets and industry-specific knowledge, with combined experience in all segments of the energy industry and across all energy technologies. We represent sponsors, lenders, equity investors, contractors, financial advisors, multilateral institutions, governments, and parastatals in the development, financing, construction, and operation of a wide range of capital-intensive projects.
Energy clients: Canadian Solar, Shell, National Grid, Plug Power
Recent work highlight: Represented SGH2 Energy Global LLC, a company that specializes in producing green hydrogen through an innovative waste gasification process. We assisted with negotiating and drafting an offtake agreement for renewable hydrogen produced from waste biomass at a facility in Lancaster, California; also charged with drafting a template agreement providing for a number of variations on the contract structure to support future transactions.
Life sciences careers
The view from the firm: Our Life Sciences team is one of the largest and most active of any law firm. Our award-winning lawyers can help with all of our clients' legal needs, including litigation, regulation, compliance and investigations, IP strategy and enforcement, data privacy, M&A, and licensing and distribution.
Life sciences clients: Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, Johnson & Johnson, Novo Nordisk.
Recent work highlight: DLA Piper’s product liability team has been retained as national trial counsel and global coordination counsel for Novo Nordisk regarding litigation and regulatory issues related to its diabetes and obesity medications: Ozempic (which has regularly made headlines in recent years), Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Financial services careers
The view from the firm: Our Financial Services Regulation, Enforcement and Litigation team brings a Chambers-recognized multi-disciplinary global team together to meet the legal and compliance needs of our clients, which include leading banks, lenders, fintechs, digital payment companies, consumer reporting agencies, loan servicers, and other financial services providers. We provide advice on everything from regulatory compliance questions, risk assessments, examinations, and bank chartering strategies, to digitization of financial products and services, including digital payments. We also regularly support and defend clients in bet-the-company enforcement actions and class action litigation.
Financial services clients: JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Coinbase, L’Oreal, Galaxy Digital, DocuSign.
Recent work highlight: Advised the Northern Trust Corporation on the development, design, and deployment of a first-in-class blockchain-based international structure for registering and transferring ownership and security interests in verified carbon credits. Their work included analysis of enforceability and regulatory compliance, including compliance with applicable commodities and property law, as well as structural and contractual requirements and agreement terms.
Technology careers
The view from the firm: Our technology sector team works within the world’s largest tech hubs. We spot opportunities, track best practices and regulatory trends, and help our clients succeed. We handle corporate transactions ranging from emerging growth and venture capital to M&A, private equity and capital markets. We advise on IP issues including technology transfers, inbound and outbound licensing and distribution, outsourcing, privacy and government contracts.
In addition, our team helps ensure that innovations and products are protected and profitable using global risk mitigation strategies in intellectual property, consumer class action, and other technology disputes. Our lawyers are experienced technology trial lawyers with an exceptional win rate. We know the laws, courts, and jurisdictions where most technology disputes occur, and can explain complex technologies to judges and juries to increase the probability of success in any case. We are known for our ability to manage high-risk cases across multiple venues in the US and worldwide for the world’s leading technology companies.
Technology clients: Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia.
Recent work highlight: Represented Slip.stream, a music licensing platform, in the acquisition of certain production music portfolio of Anthem Entertainment, an independent music rights company.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
20 |
1.1 : 1 |
80% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
49% |
66% |
65% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
10 |
49.5 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
53% |
58% |
72% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims round bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
Is DLA Piper the right firm for you?
|
81% |
83% |
79% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: Please refer to the firm's career page here.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The people are smart but down to earth and have lives outside of the firm. I’ve found a team and subject matter that I really enjoy here.”
“I have the opportunity to explore work that I'm truly interested in, while working with people that are likeable and good at their jobs. It also affords me great mentorship opportunities.”
“The team that has been put together in my group is second to none. It is a collaborative work environment with people who want to help you grow and succeed.”
Pro Bono
|
66.4 |
84% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: New Perimeter (nonprofit affiliate); combating hunger; voting rights and election protection; Serving Those Who Serve Our Country (veterans); The Krantz Fellowship (pro bono fellowship).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: The firm holds an ISO 14001 certification and adheres to specific criteria to maintain its global certification. The firm has an established sustainability program of continual improvement, and we are committed to improving our environmental performance. The firm also has established a Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure our vendors observe the firm's environmental goals.
The firm has focused on key actions to improve efficiencies and reduce the firm's carbon footprint. The firm has implemented a number of initiatives, including: providing environmental education to our people, emphasizing sustainable events, creating energy-efficient office spaces, purchasing energy-efficient equipment and services, encouraging responsible business travel, and utilizing innovative ways to interact.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Stacy Silverstone, Chief Talent Acquisition Officer
Stacy.Silverstone@us.dlapiper.com