Overview
Introduction
Get your passport ready—DLA Piper has more than 90 offices (including relationship firms) around the world and is home to more than 4,000 lawyers. These lawyers work across dozens of practices, and the firm is lauded for its Data Protection, Privacy, and Security practices. Collaboration and professionalism are key to this firm’s collegial culture. Associates enjoy working with collaborative, intelligent colleagues in a flexible environment.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
No. of U.S. Offices
Vault Verdict
With offices in almost every country in the world because of a series of strategic mergers, DLA Piper puts the “big” in BigLaw. Managing a firm of 4,300+ attorneys might seem unwieldy, but DLA Piper effectively organizes attorneys in its many practice areas. Hiring is competitive, with individual offices focusing on top candidates in local markets, as well as T14 law schools. Credentials certainly matter, but the firm is also looking for candidates who possess strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills. Because of DLA Piper’s size, associates say that the culture is inevitably office- and practice group-specific, but the firm makes an effort to operate a “one firm” model, and attorneys regularly work with colleagues in other offices. As a result, DLA Piper has been...
About the Firm
With approximately 4,300 lawyers in 90-plus offices (including relationship firms) around the globe, DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms—both by headcount and by revenue—in the world.
From Big to Ginormous
DLA Piper is a law firm empire. Its massive growth is the result of the tripartite merger among the U.K. firm DLA, Chicago/Baltimore-based Piper Rudnick, and California’s Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich in 2005. A whirlwind of acquisitions followed. Firm growth was spurred by healthy real estate, litigation, corporate, and private equity practices and the absorption of entire departments from rival firms. In September 2006, the firm trimmed its name, rendering DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary to DLA Piper, a change reflecting its new emphasis on global brand-building. The firm’...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Each office has its own culture due to DLA Piper's size. Overall, attorneys and staff are all respectful and friendly. There are a few opportunities each year where all offices come together for events. It is always a great time to meet lawyers in other offices and make connections.”
- “The culture at DLA Piper is very entrepreneurial. The firm allows associates from day one to take ownership of their careers and practices and decide what to do. To that end, the firm allows associates to work on what interests them and with whom they want. The firm has also a hybrid flexible office policy, treating associates as adults and not mandating days to come in. When in the office, everyone has an open-door policy.”
- “Fairly social for those who want to be. There are firm-sponsored events, but within the groups, there are also many organic social gatherings that partners and associates plan individually.”
- “Everyone I routinely interact with at the firm is pleasant. Most of the attorneys I work with work remotely, so we don't get very many opportunities to socialize, but when we are in the same cities as each other, we make a point to grab a meal together.”
Why Work Here
Diversity at DLA Piper
Getting Hired Here
- “Strong oral and written communication skills; resourcefulness and thoughtful questioning; strong analytical skills; strong interpersonal skills; results-driven; strong management skills; understanding of practical application of laws.”
- “DLA is competitive. I feel that the firm is looking for well-rounded attorneys who are able to fit in culturally and are pleasant to work with. I'm not sure about trainings that are available to attorneys who interview candidates or guidelines to follow.”
- “The firm recruits at the top of the market in certain regions where it has deep historical ties (e.g., Baltimore) but not necessarily in others. While the firm certainly looks for strong students from top law schools with journal/clerkship/work experience that may demonstrate competence, my sense is that personality is equally important. The firm has guidelines for interviewers.”
- “I don't believe there are feeder schools, and there is an attempt to avoid any law school alumni hierarchy. However, the firm prioritizes ambitious candidates who are willing to demonstrate the entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency that the firm prioritizes.”
Perks & Benefits