Vacation scheme Review
at Latham & Watkins
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
We got to learn more about the firms different departments including Litigation and Competition, Structured Finance, Tax etc. I sat in Litigation and Trials in the first week and Data Technology Transactions in the second week. We had set research tasks to complete for Week 1 and Week 2 and also got set some other pieces of work for other associates. There were many opportunities for us to socialise and network too including a partner dinner, musical and virtual clay pigeon shooting.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
It was great! As it is a vacation scheme that can lead to a Training Contract wth the firm, the roles available was focused on being a trainee solicitor. However, I also learned about the qualfication process to become an associate at the firm, and also the partnership process.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I developed my legal research abilities. Everything I learnt was new as the firm does not expect prior knowledge. I improved my efficiency on Westlaw, practical law, lexis nexis and also my ability to write in a concise way. I also improved on soft skils such as communication as I shared an office with my supervisor in my second week. Lastly I devloped my legal writing proficiency as I had to write memos as a response to the research question.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
It was so pleasant and kind. We got a tour of the floors we were sat in and all the associates were so kind aware that we were vacation scheme students. People were always more than happy to take time out of their busy day to have a coffee chat and answer all my questions that I had. I also liked how associates, and even on one occassion a partner, set me more work to do which was great. We were treated as competent people with the ability to do the work they set.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I really enjoyed the vacation scheme! I had a real opportunity to get stuck into work and work on live matters which was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed the inclusive culture of the firm as I had the opportunity to talk to black partners at the firm and ask them about their experience as a parter but more widely as a black lawyer in the city. I also really liked everyone on my cohort and found it great to get to know everyone.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid and reimbursed expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at Latham & Watkins
5/5
Would you recommend Latham & Watkins to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Latham & Watkins
For the situational judgment test go with your gut instincts, the test is not out to trick you so just genuinely put down what you think, that is what I did. For the video interview portion make sure to use the STAR structure (Situation, Task, Action, Results) for all your examples and quantify your result. Have someone else read over your written application and ensure you complete thorough research on the firm before writing the application.
