DLA Piper Assessments and Phone Interviews 2026 Practice. A Full Guide.

1. Introduction

How to prepare for DLA Piper assessment tests and get the job?

In a nutshell:

1. Complete your DLA Piper Online Application

• Fill in your DLA application form.
• Match your application to DLA Piper values and answer two motivational questions aligned to ‘Why you chose law’ and ‘Why DLA Piper’.
• Attach a good CV and enter key information about yourself.
• Tailor the information you provide to the role’s requirements and competency needs.

2. Practice For the DLA Piper Online Assessment Test

DLA Piper uses the Watson Glaser test at this stage of the recruitment process to assess your critical reasoning skills. 

The only proven way to get through this round of the DLA Piper online assessments is practice. 54-84% of candidates get rejected at this stage (Bradley et al, 2019).

3. Record mock video interviews of yourself

Prepare for your DLA Piper interviews by taking mock interviews and answering typical interview questions for the role you are applying for. For DLA Piper interview practice, use the following:

• A smartphone to record yourself
• Zoom or
• Our reliable video interview platform

Use the STAR+R method for your answers during the DLA Piper interview process and try to practice answers several times before your interview.

Our video interview practice platform provides interview questions that test your skills and knowledge in specific industries. It is similar to other popular employer interview platforms like HireVue and Pymetrics.

4. Prepare for the DLA Piper Assessment Centre Exercises

DLA Piper uses several competitive exercises during the assessment centre to assess your analytical skills. These exercises include: 

• Group Exercise 
• Individual Exercise 
• Partner Interview

Before we dive into the assessments, let’s discover more about DLA Piper first.

 Who is DLA Piper?

DLA Piper is a global law firm redefining what an international law firm can be. With over 90 offices in more than 40 countries, DLA Piper offers global careers without limits. At DLA Piper, you’ll find the most interesting work, experience the riches of other cultures, and enjoy the complexity of an interconnected world.

The DLA Piper early careers programmes help you develop the knowledge and skills to give your career the best platform. You’ll have the opportunity to discover your own path with the support to help you along the way.

Let’s find out about the core practice areas at DLA Piper.

What are the 7 core practice areas at DLA Piper?

Below are core practice areas at DLA Piper:

Business Advisory	Finance	Private Equity
Corporate	Intellectual Property	Mergers & Acquisition
Tax	Real Estate	Investment Management & Funds
Franchise	Employment	Litigation, Arbitration, and Investigations

What are the DLA Piper Values?

The global DLA Piper values are as follows:

1. Be Supportive – Being compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and always acting thoughtfully.
2. Be Collaborative – Being a proactive and passionate team player and investing in relationships.
3. Be Bold – Being fearless and inquisitive, challenging yourself to think big and find creative new solutions.
4. Be Exceptional – Being strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations.

Beyond the global values above, DLA Piper also consistently emphasises the following core values and behaviours across its operations:

1. Inclusion: Valuing different perspectives, creating a psychologically safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and can flourish.
2. Collaboration and Teamwork: Working together across offices and borders to deliver excellence and unlock potential collectively.
3. Innovation: Welcoming new ideas, embracing technology and creativity to shape the future rather than protect the past.
4. Commercial Awareness: Understanding clients’ businesses, the broader commercial context, and providing practical, value-driven solutions.
5. Resilience and Adaptability: Managing changing priorities, showing flexibility under pressure, and learning from challenges.
6. Integrity and Responsibility: Acting with professionalism, precision, and commitment to responsible business practices and ethical conduct.
7. Sustainability and Positive Impact: Embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into decision-making and client work, striving to reduce emissions, promote equality, and make business and the world better.

Now that you know all about DLA Piper, let’s jump right into the DLA Piper hiring process, starting with the DLA Piper online application. 

2. DLA Piper Online Application

How do I apply to DLA Piper?

The DLA Piper online application is the first stage of the DLA Piper application process. To get started, you must visit DLA Piper’s official careers site, browse through current job openings, and apply for a role you choose.

You will be required to provide an answer for the following enquiries in the DLA application form:

• Personal Details
• Resume/CV
• Educational History
• Job-specific Information
• Motivational Questions

Below is a sneak peek at the application form, the first step of your DLA Piper application process.

DLA Application Form

Source: DLA Piper Careers

Let’s look at tips on how to answer the DLA Piper motivational questions better at this stage.

How to Answer DLA Piper Motivational Questions

1. Be specific & authentic. Pick one genuine reason you care about DLA Piper and explain why it matters to you.
2. Show you’ve read it. Try to properly reference any initiative or report you read and give a one-line takeaway that proves your understanding of the material.
3. Link to your values or goals. State which DLA Piper firm theme (e.g., innovation, sustainability, global reach) resonates with you and matches your ambitions.
4. Use 1–2 focused examples. Highlight the experience, state what you learned, and show how it influenced your motivation.
5. Keep it tight & proofread. Write a single concise, well-structured paragraph, and ensure to check your spelling, grammar, and word count.

After submitting your application, DLA Piper’s talent acquisition team will review it. If selected, you will be required to complete the DLA Piper Watson Glaser test.

3. DLA Piper Watson Glaser Test

What is the DLA Piper Watson Glaser test?

The DLA Piper Watson Glaser test is a critical reasoning assessment designed to measure your critical thinking skills in terms of the ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information, and evaluate arguments.

How much time does the DLA Piper assessment test take?

The DLA Piper assessment test is an untimed assessment. However, Watson Glaser tests are generally noted to have up to 40 questions that can be completed in about 30 minutes or more. 

Read on as we uncover our important tips that can help you pass the DLA Piper Watson Glaser critical thinking test.

How To Pass The DLA Piper Watson Glaser Test

1. Practice with sample tests. Taking Watson Glaser practice tests will help you get used to the question formats of this DLA Piper online test and improve your accuracy.
2. Understand the question types. This DLA Piper test has up to five question types, and you need to familiarise yourself with each to know how to approach them.
3. Practice logical thinking. Work on identifying logical flaws, unsupported assumptions, and weak arguments in practice law materials or previous DLA Piper cases you can study.
4. Read carefully. This DLA Piper online test is designed to be tricky, so pay attention to wording, especially in questions involving assumptions and deductions.
5. Stick to the given information. Avoid using outside knowledge or personal opinions. Base your answers strictly on the information provided in the questions in this DLA Piper test.
6. Eliminate wrong answers. Narrow down your choices by eliminating incorrect answers to improve your chances of selecting the right one in this DLA Piper psychometric test.
7. Manage your time wisely. With 40 questions in 30 minutes, aim for a steady pace and try not to get stuck on any single question in this DLA Piper online assessment test.

Boost your DLA Piper test prep with our practice tests which offer questions, live test reports, and progress charts!

After completing the Watson Glaser test, you may be required to complete a DLA Piper phone interview.

4. DLA Piper Phone Interview

What is a DLA Piper phone interview?

The DLA Piper phone interview, also called the pre AC interview, is a short telephone interview assessment that DLA Piper uses to evaluate some important aspects about yourself, and it lasts between 10 to 15 minutes.

What does the DLA Piper telephone interview assessment measure?

The DLA Piper telephone interview assessment is designed to measure your motivations for applying to DLA Piper, your behavioural strengths, and your alignment with the DLA Piper values.

Read on for quality tips that can help you pass the DLA Piper telephone interview assessment.

Top 7 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Phone Interview

1. Research DLA Piper thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with DLA Piper’s values, key practice areas, recent news, and culture. Be ready to align your answers with these.
2. Understand the role. Read the job description thoroughly and uncover the skills and qualities DLA Piper wants for the role before you take this DLA Piper online assessment.
3. Practice with mock interviews to prepare for this DLA Piper interview process. Record yourself answering sample questions to refine your delivery and improve clarity.
4. Practice answering behavioural questions. To answer behavioural questions, make use of the STAR+R method and structure your responses accordingly. Use examples that demonstrate the necessary skills required.
5. Know the Pre-AC telephone format and plan your examples. Have one or two tight, structured examples ready so you can answer clearly within the timeframe. 
6. Practice speaking clearly and confidently. Practice answering questions concisely while maintaining a confident and professional tone as these will be crucial during this DLA Piper online assessment test.
7. Showcase your motivation. Clearly articulate why you want to work at DLA Piper and what specifically attracts you to the firm. Avoid generic responses in your answers.
8. Be authentic and highlight firm-relevant skills. Pick genuine points of interest about DLA Piper, briefly show you understood them, and showcase skills they value through your responses.

Let’s use the tips above to practice some DLA Piper interview questions below.

DLA Piper Interview Questions And Answers

Some common DLA Piper interview questions at this stage are:

• Why do you want to work for DLA Piper?
• What interested you in the summer internship?
• Describe why you’re a good fit for this role.
• Describe a time you went above and beyond for a role
• Give an example of teamwork from your personal experience.
• How would you demonstrate our values in your work and throughout the programme?

Looking for more DLA Piper interview questions that you might be asked?

Below are example answers to some of the DLA Piper interview questions listed above including tips on how to answer them.

Question 1: Why do you want to work for DLA Piper?

Good Answer:

I am particularly drawn to DLA Piper because of its global reach and commitment to innovation in the legal sector. The firm’s ability to handle complex, cross-border matters, such as its work on high-profile M&A transactions and regulatory cases, aligns perfectly with my ambition to work on cutting-edge legal challenges.

Beyond the high-calibre work, DLA Piper’s strong focus on diversity and inclusion resonates with me. Having participated in initiatives that promote equal access to legal careers, I appreciate the firm’s proactive approach to fostering an inclusive environment.

Question 2: What interested you in the summer internship?

Good Answer:

I’m interested in the DLA Summer Internship position because of the focus on complex, cross-border work, which perfectly aligns with my long-term goal of becoming a commercial lawyer who can advise clients on global issues. I admire how DLA Piper combines legal excellence with innovation, which is a culture that I want to be part of.

Additionally, the opportunity to learn from diverse teams across jurisdictions and sectors really excites me. I believe my strong analytical skills, collaborative mindset, and genuine curiosity about international business would allow me to contribute effectively while developing within DLA Piper’s dynamic environment.

After completing the pre-AC interview, you may be invited to complete a DLA Piper assessment centre.

5. DLA Piper Assessment Centre

What is the DLA Piper assessment centre?

The DLA Piper assessment centre is the final stage of the DLA Piper hiring process. It will comprise exercises that give you the chance to demonstrate your strengths and for DLA Piper to help get to know you better.

What to expect at the DLA Piper assessment centre?

The DLA Piper assessment centre will typically include the following exercises: 

1. Group Exercise
2. Individual Exercise
3. Partner Interview

 Keep reading to discover more about the DLA Piper assessment process at this stage.

DLA Piper Group Exercise

What is the DLA Piper group exercise?

The DLA Piper group exercise is a group task where you are divided into small teams. This task will allow you 15 minutes to read through all the information given to you and then 40 minutes will be provided to you to discuss the given topic.

Watch our video below for a proper breakdown of what the DLA Piper group exercise is about and more tips on how to pass it.

What does the DLA Piper group exercise measure?

The DLA Piper group exercise measures your ability to work collaboratively in a team while demonstrating key skills such as communication, problem-solving, and time management.

Read on for our top tips on how to pass the DLA Piper group exercise.

Top 5 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Group Exercise

1. Remember the DLA Piper values and use them in your approach. This would help show that you would be a good fit for DLA Piper and the role. 
2. Practice extracting information under time pressure. This will be useful to ensure you gather the key details for your group within the short time limit.
3. Listen carefully when your teammates make some valid points and do not forget to appreciate the good ones. 
4. Avoid dominating the group. Make sure you don’t compel your team to believe that your approach is the best and listen to other approaches offered.
5. Keep track of the time. Monitor the time regularly and try to keep your group updated on the time to ensure the task is completed within the allotted time.
6. Ask questions and request clarification from the DLA Piper assessors in case something is not clear. This could help you gain further relevant information that you can use.

Next up, you will be required to complete a DLA Piper individual exercise.

DLA Piper Individual Exercise

What is the DLA Piper individual exercise?

The DLA Piper individual exercise may involve a presentation task where you may analyse a scenario and propose a business or legal strategy within a time limit. You may be required to answer follow-up questions from your assessors.

What does the DLA Piper individual exercise measure?

The DLA Piper individual exercise will typically measure your analytical skills, ability to structure your thoughts, and communication under pressure by presenting your thoughts, ideas, and solutions.

Below are our top tips to help you prepare for your DLA Piper individual exercise.

Top 8 Tips to Pass the DLA Piper Individual Exercise

1. Read the brief carefully to ensure you pick up all the important information provided and include these in your presentation to support your points.
2. Remember the DLA Piper values when approaching the individual exercise. Ensure you work on showcasing your alignment with these values and your interest in global law and business.
3. Manage your time. Allocate your time carefully to ensure you have time to read, strategise, and prepare for presenting your ideas, as well as for any questions & answers.
4. Structure your approach. Use the time you have to jot down notes and organise your thoughts to ensure a structured and well-supported strategy for the DLA Piper individual exercise.
5. Focus on key issues. DLA Piper will be interested in your ability to identify and address the most crucial aspects of a legal or business matter.
6. Use clear and concise language. This helps you ensure that you are clear and understandable for both legal and non-legal audiences.
7. Expect questions. DLA Piper assessors/interviewers will likely have questions for you, so anticipate potential questions about your strategy and be ready to defend your decisions with clear reasoning.
8. Involve your audience if your DLA Piper individual exercise may involve a presentation exercise, so make it engaging and carry the DLA assessors/interviewers along when necessary.

Practice the DLA Piper assessment centre exercises with us to improve your performance ahead of time.

Next up is the last stage of the DLA application process which is the DLA Piper partner interview. 

DLA Piper Interview

What is the DLA Piper interview?

The DLA Piper interview at this stage may likely be a strength-based interview held with a firm partner, department head, or executive. It is also your chance to ask questions about the role and DLA Piper.

Discover 5 top questions you could ask in your DLA Piper partner interview with our short video below:

What to expect in the DLA Piper interview at the assessment centre?

The DLA Piper interview will include questions that ask about your skills and capabilities, as well as, your motivations, interests, and career objectives. Some DLA Piper interview questions to expect at this stage include:

• Why do you want to work at DLA Piper? 
• How do you deal with challenges or conflict?
• What attributes do you think make someone a good lawyer?
• Why do you want a job at this particular company rather than others operating in the same space?

How to answer DLA Piper interview questions?

Don’t miss our following top 5 tips to answer questions during your DLA Piper interview.

How to Pass the DLA Piper Interview

1. Tailor your answers to DLA Piper’s core values. Demonstrate how you align with these values and how you have showcased them in the past.
2. Practice beforehand. Always practice your answers before your DLA Piper interview. Practice until your flow and delivery of responses are good.
3. Leverage your experience in your answers. Your answers are more effective when they include examples from your experience and you can use the STAR+R method to achieve this in the DLA Piper interview process.
4. Communicate clearly and confidently. Speak concisely, structure your responses logically, and engage professionally with the DLA Piper partner.
5. Ask thoughtful questions. Show interest by asking about DLA Piper’s processes, future, the partner’s experience, and the qualities they look for.

Looking to practice for the DLA Piper interview process? Sign up with us and access interview sets for the law industry to practice with.

And….that’s a wrap on the DLA Piper hiring process! If you are successful in the process, DLA Piper’s team will send you an offer letter after a week or two.

While you’re here…

Don’t miss the captivating range of entry roles and early careers that await you at DLA Piper.

6. DLA Piper Early Careers

What are the DLA Piper early careers?

The DLA Piper early careers offer various opportunities for students and graduates to kickstart their careers. These early career opportunities offered by DLA Piper are as follows:

1. Apprenticeship Programmes
2. Summer Internship Programme
3. International Training Programme

Let’s look further into these DLA early career opportunities below. 

DLA Piper Apprenticeship Programmes

What are the DLA Piper apprenticeship programmes?

The DLA apprenticeships are opportunities that allow you to gain the experiences, skills, and training to kick-start your career, in a supportive and inclusive environment while also allowing you to study towards a degree.

What roles do the DLA Piper apprenticeship programmes offer? 

The DLA Piper apprenticeship programme provides the following roles as apprenticeships: 

• DLA Piper Solicitor Apprenticeship 
• DLA Piper Project Manager Apprenticeship

Below are the eligibility criteria for the DLA Piper apprenticeship programmes.

Eligibility Criteria for DLA Piper Apprenticeship Programmes

• Education:

For the solicitor apprenticeship, you will need at least three Cs at A Level and five GCSEs, including Maths and English at Grade C (or equivalent qualifications).

For the project manager apprenticeship, you will need at least 120 UCAS points (or equivalent) and five GCSEs, including Maths and English at Grade C (or equivalent qualifications).

• Location: 

You must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

Let’s move on to find out more about the DLA Piper summer internship programme.

DLA Piper Summer Internship Programme

What is the DLA Piper summer internship?

The DLA Piper summer internship programme is an early career opportunity that will help you develop the foundation of skills you need for a global legal career by having you explore the intersection between law and business.

Let’s go ahead and find out what the eligibility criteria for this DLA programme are below.

Eligibility Criteria for DLA Piper Internship Programmes

• Education:

For law students, a second-year student on a three-year course or a third-year student on a four-year course. You can also apply if you are in your final year of study.

For non-law students, you can apply for the programme if you are in your final year of study.

You are also eligible to apply if you are a graduate or a career changer.

• Location: 

You must have the right to work for the duration of the programme (35 hours a week) in the UK.

The next very early career opportunity by DLA Piper is the DLA Piper International Training Programme.

DLA Piper International Training Programme

What is the DLA Piper international training programme?

The DLA Piper international training programme gives graduates the perfect launchpad to start a global career that transcends traditional boundaries while being part of a firm that embraces new ideas and fosters progress.

What to expect at the DLA Piper international training programme?

The DLA Piper international training programme will have you complete four 6-month rotations in practice groups. You will have international, client secondment, and placement opportunities in DLA Piper’s business team.

The DLA Piper graduate recruitment is done 2 years in advance. Successful DLA Piper internship attendees will be assessed for the DLA Piper graduate scheme at the end of their internships.

With this, we have provided you with all the information to help you get your dream job at DLA Piper.

However, refer to our FAQs section below to gain more insights into the DLA Piper recruitment process.

7. DLA Piper Recruitment FAQs