DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Now accepting applications for DLA Piper’s Summer Undergraduate Internship Program!

Raja Gaddipati Fellowship

A Diversity Pipeline Initiative

Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Summary

DLA Piper's Raja Gaddipati Fellowship is an in-house pipeline initiative that offers undergraduate students and recent graduates insight into a large law firm environment. The six-week, full-time paid summer internship involves a combination of research projects, lectures, and direct mentoring. Students complete a rigorous application and interview process to compete for a limited number of seats. The fellowship is named in honor of former DLA Piper partner, Raja Gaddipati, who was deeply involved in the community and ensuring all law students have an opportunity to succeed in the profession. The 2025 program will be held in the following offices: Chicago, New York, Palo Alto, and Washington, DC. The program is scheduled to run from the middle of June through late July.

Candidates must submit the following for consideration: a resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in the program, an unofficial school transcript, and two letters of recommendation. The most qualified candidates will be invited to answer a series of questions via recorded video. Once all video responses are reviewed, the top candidates will be notified by the recruitment team to schedule a live video interview with members of the firm's Talent, Development & Inclusion team.

Applications will be accepted starting Monday, December 9, 2024. The application window will close on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Only complete submissions will be reviewed. Please note that expenses, such as relocation, housing, or transportation fees, are the fellow's responsibility. Fellowships will be awarded in late March 2025.

Click here (https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/about-us/raja-gaddipati-fellowship) for more information about the program.

Location

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. Candidates should reside within reasonable commuting distance from our Chicago, New York, Palo Alto, or Washington, D.C. offices.

Responsibilities

• Your internship will include a variety of tasks providing you a broad view of the different types of work in a large law firm environment

• Each day may provide different experiences, working on a variety of projects with lawyers, paralegals, and business professionals.

• Your workday may include assisting on legal assignments, visiting a client with an attorney, witnessing a court hearing, attending local industry events, or visiting local government entities

Minimum Education

• Must be enrolled in an accredited college degree program entering their senior year in fall 2025 or be a recent graduate applying to law school within one year

Requirements

• Have a genuine interest in attending law school and have taken, or plan to take, the LSAT

• Intend to apply to an accredited law school in 2025 or 2026

• Demonstrate sound academic performance

• Express interest and commitment to advancing an inclusive culture

• Display involvement in campus and local community

• Present exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

Essential Job Expectations    

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:   

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;   

• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;   

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;   

• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;   

• Foster positive work relationships;   

• Comply with all firm policies and practices;   

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;   

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.   

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.   

Physical Demands    

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.   

Work Environment

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process     

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process or have any questions about the process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com . Please add dlapiper@myworkday.com to your list of safe senders.   

Accommodation    

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com .   

Agency applications will not be considered.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

The firm’s expected hiring rate for this position is $25 per hour depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. Non-exempt positions will be paid on an hourly basis and paid overtime in accordance with applicable laws.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center (https://mandatoryview.com/?LicenceId=09b17fa3-b781-4022-bfdd-ec61a570463c&ProductType=OnlineApplicant) .

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive

Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Get to Know Us

We invite you to learn more about us. Please visit the following pages for more information about DLA Piper.

Laterals (http://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/careers/laterals)

Lateral Partners

Law Students (http://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/careers/law-students)

Business Professionals

Recruitment Agencies:

Per the terms of our agreement, all candidates must be submitted through the firm’s agency portal for consideration. If you have an agreement with the firm, please log in to the agency portal via the following link (https://www.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/dlapiper/login.htmld?redirect=n) to review positions accepting agency submissions.

Lawyer Positions Only: If you do not have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please send a blind candidate profile to legalrecruiting-bos@dlapiper.com