Latham & Watkins

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Latham & Watkins

With world-renowned strengths across corporate and finance, plus a host of notable specialist teams, Latham & Watkins appeals to trainees seeking ‘high-level transactional work’, ‘international deals’ and lawyers ‘at the top of their game’. Recruits are drawn by the US firm’s ‘quality of work’, Legal 500 rankings and ‘proactivity-driven training contract’ in lean teams where responsibility comes early. 

For many, the best thing about Latham is the combination of market-leading work and strong people culture. Trainees praise the ‘high-level clients’, the ‘never-ending amounts of good work to do’, and the firm’s ‘collaborative and dynamic culture’. One adds that ‘everyone is very nice and supportive of juniors’. 

The work is meaningful, too. Highlights include ‘drafting submissions that were ultimately used as arguments’, taking on ‘high levels of responsibility on a cutting-edge AI M&A deal’, and enjoying ‘the amount of autonomy I am given to run with things’. Another respondent described their time in the litigation & trial team as ‘one of the best experiences of my life’. 

Latham’s intensity is not ignored by juniors. Work-life balance is the recurring challenge, with endless calls for ‘better work-life balance’ and ‘better distribution of work’ throughout the feedback. One trainee pointed to ‘two 80-85 hour consecutive weeks’ as a low point; others cited ‘working five days straight on a signing’ or being staffed on matters ‘without as much guidance’ as they would have liked. Benefits, pension contributions, annual leave, diversity in some teams and seat allocation transparency also attract varying levels of criticism. 

The overall picture is of a firm that asks a lot of trainees because it gives them a lot in return: ‘serious work, serious clients and serious responsibility’, within a culture many find supportive, ambitious and energising. If that sounds like an environment in which you’d thrive, research Latham & Watkins. 

Q&A with... Emma Bunting, Associate

What first attracted you to Latham? 

I was initially attracted to the firm’s strong sense of community, which I experienced first-hand when I attended a graduate open day. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and I learned that Latham’s many affinity groups provide support and help to foster a culture of inclusivity. This sense of community, combined with the firm’s deep expertise across my areas of interest, solidified that Latham would offer the perfect environment for personal and professional growth. 

What have you enjoyed most about your training contract? 

I have particularly enjoyed the international nature of all the work I have done at Latham, and the fact that I get to work in diverse teams and take on great responsibility. For example, I helped to co-ordinate teams in several European jurisdictions as part of a large cross-border private equity transaction, and more recently, I was part of the team that prepared for an international arbitration hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre. I find the work both challenging and highly rewarding. 

I have also enjoyed all the moments shared with my cohort, from casual chats and snack breaks in the office, to karaoke nights and birthday parties. I really value that we’re such a close group. 

What has surprised you most about your training contract? 

I have been surprised by the range of impactful pro bono projects that I have had the opportunity to work on. For example, I am assisting an individual in applying to the government’s compensation scheme, as part of the firm’s participation in a coalition of UK law firms helping Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit to support people impacted by the Windrush Scandal. Latham lawyers value giving back, so there are a number of opportunities to become involved in meaningful initiatives. I am thrilled to use my legal skills in the service of people in need in our community. 

What advice would you give to students applying to Latham’s vacation scheme? 

I would encourage students to attend Latham’s in-person graduate events, which are always really engaging and informative. For instance, last year the firm hosted a student event in collaboration with PureGym. Events like these provide great insight into the firm and the life of a trainee. They’re also a great way to connect with Latham lawyers in person, which could potentially lead to natural mentoring relationships further down the line. 

I would also recommend taking some time to reflect on your true motivations for becoming a lawyer. When you have clarity on the reasons you want to enter the profession, and learn how to communicate those reasons in a concise way, it becomes easier to feel confident throughout the application process and allow your authentic self to shine through. Training with Latham & Watkins opens up a world of opportunity. Follow London trainee Emma Bunting on her training contract journey. 

About the firm

The firm:

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms, advising the businesses and institutions that drive the economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centres globally. With top-tier teams and a track record of advising on landmark deals and high-profile trials, we help clients seize opportunities, navigate challenges, and stay ahead of market shifts.

Our integrated global platform offers unmatched expertise and resources to build an incredible career. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on our clients and the future underpin our success – and ensure we remain at the forefront of practice. We empower our lawyers to pursue their vision, become market leaders, and engage in community-serving pro bono work.

Our approach supports your growth – we prioritise excellence over ego to encourage input from all levels and foster early responsibility. Success through collaboration and the pursuit of excellence will shape your career here.

Our commitment to excellence means you’ll work on clients’ most complex and challenging matters. We invest in your future through comprehensive training and career development including mentoring, coaching, and our signature academies to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.

Senior partner: Richard Trobman

Managing partner:  Edward Barnett

Other offices: Austin, Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Paris, Riyadh, San Diego, San Francisco, Seoul, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Washington, D.C.

Who we are: Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms, with operations spanning 14 countries and a majority of transactions involving cross-office collaboration. We are governed by an open, inclusive, and consensus-building management style – we have no head office and no dominant practice. We prioritize excellence over ego, with teams structured to encourage initiative and input from all levels, promoting early responsibility and open discussion. Reviews, bonuses, and promotions are decided by our Associates Committee, comprised equally of associates and partners.

What we do:

Latham’s London office — nearly 500 lawyers strong — consistently ranks among the City’s elite law firms across practices and industries.

We offer sophisticated counsel and representation to emerging and global companies, financial institutions, and private investors on groundbreaking transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters. Mirroring the City’s status as a nexus for global finance and trade, our London lawyers combine our culture of collaboration and creativity with a pragmatic drive to deliver results and to connect clients with opportunities across the Atlantic, throughout Europe, across Asia, and beyond.

What we’re looking for: We look for curious, ambitious people with the potential to become exceptional lawyers. You’re analytical, able to get to the heart of complex issues, and you communicate in a way that inspires confidence and trust, on paper and in conversation. Detail matters to you, and you take pride in work of the highest quality. You thrive in a team, own your work and act with integrity in everything you do. When decisions matter, you weigh the bigger picture. When things get tough, you stay resilient and bounce back. And you’re driven to keep growing: pushing yourself, welcoming feedback and looking for every opportunity to learn.

What you’ll do: We look for curious, ambitious people with the potential to become exceptional lawyers. You’re analytical, able to get to the heart of complex issues, and you communicate in a way that inspires confidence and trust, on paper and in conversation. Detail matters to you, and you take pride in work of the highest quality. You thrive in a team, own your work and act with integrity in everything you do. When decisions matter, you weigh the bigger picture. When things get tough, you stay resilient and bounce back. And you’re driven to keep growing: pushing yourself, welcoming feedback and looking for every opportunity to learn.

Perks:

• Life insurance
• Private health and dental insurance; vision allowance
• Health care provider referrals
• Annual health assessments
• Hormonal health support
• Cancer care resources
• Ergonomics assessments
• Fitness initiatives
• Mental well-being counselling and coaching
• Mindfulness and resilience resources
• Pension scheme
• Financial well-being resources
• Family building and fertility support
• Child, adult, and elder caregiving resources
• Business travel insurance
• Medical and travel assistance
• Onsite resources (Health Centre, fitness spaces, music rooms, restaurants)
• Season ticket loan for transport
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership

Sponsorship

PGDL and SQE fees and a maintenance grant of £20,0000 per year. For future trainees who have already completed the PGDL and/or LPC/SQE, the firm will reimburse those fees in full.

Seat options

Corporate – corporate (ECM/M&A/PE/VC/EC/ PE Real Estate), data and technology transactions, debt capital markets, UK derivatives; entertainment, sport and media; environment, land and resources; emerging companies and growth, FinTech; financial regulatory; investment funds; real estate.

Finance – banking; infrastructure finance; project development and finance; real estate finance; restructuring and special situations; structured finance.

Litigation – competition, litigation and trial.

Tax – executive compensation, employment and benefits, transactional tax.

Tips from the recruiter

Structure and formatting: Keep your application form clear and concise. A well-structured application helps us understand your qualifications and experiences at a glance.

Attention to detail: Proofread your application multiple times to avoid errors. Attention to detail is a fundamental skill for all lawyers, so it is very important that your application is free from mistakes.

Take a personal approach: When crafting your application, it’s essential to personalise your content to stand out from the crowd. It’s easy to tell when an applicant has made an effort to tailor their application – it will be more detailed and will tell their own story.