In Latham’s terms, a longstanding reputation and a massive global network open plenty of doors for associates, and make a recipe for success.
Latham & Watkins Lateral Profile 2024
If you’re looking to rub shoulders with the stars, it’s no secret that you’ll find the big names in everything from music and movies to sport and reality TV in LA. And, as it turns out, the same goes for legal stars. According to recent figures, LA juggernaut Latham & Watkins raked in $5.6 billion in 2023, making it the second highest-earning firm in the world. Like many of its neighbors on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Latham’s got range too. The firm has 12 offices in the US and a further 17 across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The breadth of practices also impressed interviewees, who were pleased to say: “We take a broader approach and do a little bit of everything.” Perhaps that’s an understatement, as Latham’s “little bit of everything” has landed it a huge collection of top-tier Chambers USA rankings in its home city and across the country. While listing them all may exhaust our word count, top practices include antitrust, international trade, capital markets, energy, IP, life sciences, technology, and securities litigation.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join our firm? Associates say...
“It was genuinely collaborative and respectful. People work incredibly hard and are the best in the world at what they do, but they are also wonderful colleagues and deeply committed to practicing law the right way.”
“Everyone is normal! People at Latham do not carry themselves as better than others based on career status. Partners and associates do not define themselves by their status as lawyers.”
“General air of positivity in the office, interactions, and feeling of the firm. The firm also seems sincerely committed to training and setting its attorneys up for success professionally, while also providing the work-life balance tailored to each attorney.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
36 |
2.5 : 1 |
78% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
71% |
50% |
84% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
1,900 |
12 |
49 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
49% |
82% |
84% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
Is Latham & Watkins the right firm for you?
|
84% |
93% |
83% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: While the mechanics of hiring may differ based on experience (new associate vs. mid-level associate vs. partner), the characteristics that Latham looks for in a candidate are similar across the board – bright candidates who will enhance the firm’s merit-based culture and core values of transparency, respect, innovation, collaboration and diversity.
Items we look for include
- Self-starter with high degree of maturity, responsibility, and judgement
- Excellence in rigorous academic and leadership achievements
- Commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity in the legal profession
- Success working in a collaborative and results-driven team
- Desire to practice at a global law firm
While we look at academic credentials for new associates, that’s not the entire barometer. We also look for leadership achievements, and characteristics that enhance Latham’s unique and diverse culture. This also holds true at the partner and counsel level – we are not only looking at a candidate’s practice and experience, we’re also looking for alignment with our values of collaboration and collegiality, and commitment to our unique and diverse culture.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“People genuinely seem to be friends with one another, and they help each other out if needed. Also no one screams at one another, even if there is a disagreement over something.”
“The people who work here are genuinely nice people who care about fostering a culture of kindness and respect.”
“What stands out to me now is that there are a handful of people who truly have each other's backs in a way that is priceless in a job like this.”
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
|
78% |
29% |
39% |
|
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
identify as ethnically diverse |
|
The view from the firm: We offer summer internships to select US law students who have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the legal profession. Our 1L Diversity Scholars split their time between Latham and one of our clients, giving students exposure to both law firm life and the in-house legal department experience. Our 2L Diversity Scholars are eligible to receive $50,000 scholarships and the opportunity to participate in a Client Mentorship Program where they receive mentorship from one of our clients.
Our Diversity Leadership Academy brings together over 200 Latham lawyers and US law students every year for a dynamic multi-day professional development and community-building program (allies are invited and encouraged to attend). Latham associate programming focuses on leadership, executive presence, communication, and tips for succeeding at the firm.
We hold two Women’s Leadership Academies each year - one for our senior associates and one for our partners. The WLAs provide focused professional development training in the areas of leadership, communication, self-advocacy, and business development.
Our firmwide Allies@Latham initiative is designed to inform and guide our lawyers and staff in becoming more effective allies for each other. Through this initiative, we provide practical tips for allyship throughout the year, along with educational resources and training programs.
Pro Bono
|
90 |
94% |
|
average pro bono |
found the pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Perez v Sturgis Public Schools (litigation); The Ocean Cleanup (environmental sustainability); Andrew Malkinson (criminal justice reform); Emmett Till Interpretive Center (civil rights).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: We advise clients on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in nearly every industry, as well as environmental, land, and resources (ELR) matters, including helping clients navigate the energy transition and move towards a lower-carbon future. Additionally, we have donated thousands of hours in free legal services to nonprofit organizations benefitting the environment. We also seek to reduce the firm’s environmental footprint around the globe. We also publish an annual environmental sustainability report, available on our website (www.lw.com)
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Jullia Carretta (Jullia.Carretta@lw.com) - Austin, Houston
Sherilyn Chuah (Sherilyn.Chuah@lw.com) - Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego
Chris Darocha-Boyle (Christopher.DaRocha-Boyle@lw.com) - Boston, Chicago, Washington DC
Jeff Alexander (Jeffrey.Alexander@lw.com) - New York