What started as a regional firm in Sheffield has grown to become a massive force and the third biggest law firm in the world by lawyers. These impressive numbers brought about by successful mergers have made DLA one of the few to recognise Manchester’s potential as a legal hub as their swanky office in St Peter’s Square is open for business! Despite the London office remaining DLA’s headquarters for the U.K., there is a promise to equally distribute the high quality and multi-jurisdictional work to all their offices in England. With 90, (yes ninety!) offices world-wide, trainees here can get involved on deals and advice worth hundreds of millions and billions of pounds in different and unusual jurisdictions. Further to that, DLA offer their trainees a great opportunity to be seconded internationally to a vast variety of destinations, if that’s your thing. 

The largely horizontal hierarchy observed at DLA and collegiate environment means that this firm are looking for team players who get on with their work as well as their colleagues. In a tough assessment day applicants are expected to work in teams to present a group project as well as well as be interviewed by a partner. The firm offers 70 training contracts each year as one of the highest intakes of all the city firms. DLA have good levels of diversity among their intakes by proportionately representing women especially with 55% of their female associates being women!