Vacation Scheme Student Review

Workshops, case studies, panel events and lunches with trainees, associates and partners.
Two weeks - one week in each team, sat with a different supervisor each time.
Tasks and experience working for your supervisor, meeting with other members of the firm and trainees, completing one research task per week.
Social events for the cohort: two evening socials and one dinner with partners and counsel.

Clear and detailed discussions and presentations about the firm as a business, the culture, the structure of the vacation scheme and other opportunities.

I have developed my confidence, both in terms of experience in a high-pressure corporate environment but also in myself when speaking to people at different levels throughout the firm.
I have learnt to use AI tools such as Harvey, the deep research functionality of PracticalLaw and LexisNexis.
I have developed my organisational, communication and attention to detail skills.
Organisational because of the intense structure of the scheme. Communication because of keeping supervisors and colleagues updated re capacity and asking questions clearly and concisely. Attention to detail by taking ownership of tasks beyond the research task, and from the research task itself.

They don’t boast about an open-door culture but there certainly is one. Every person I asked to speak to or contacted found time for speak with me. It was never a matter of no; just a matter of when.
I felt that stewardship and collaboration underlined the whole experience. By stewardship I mean investing in others. Associates all the way up to partners spoke to you as if you were a colleague, in a very flat hierarchy and cared about your experiences at the got and answering questions in detail.
It was clear to see how passionate everyone is about pro bono and community work. People take real pride in this work and treat it the same as routine billable work (pro bono hours are also billable) and projects get 100s of volunteers from across the firm.

I loved the insight. The programme was exceptionally well organised and I learnt so much about the firm that I did not know before, not just about the culture but also about every practice area, department and facet of Latham’s global platform and clients.
For example, in the ‘how a deal works’ talk they had multiple representatives from each team describe how their team fit into the overall Corporate M&A process. This really demonstrated Latham’s breadth and depth, as well as just how integrated the firm is.

Yes

Do your research. Reach out to future trainees and trainees for advice - they are more than willing to help. Prepare for you seats by looking into the key timelines and aspects of the seats you’re in, so that you can speak to your supervisors and other lawyers in the team about the work you’ve been set and demonstrate your passion.
Be prepared. Take notes as a reminder of everyone you’ve spoken to and how this changed your opinion on x or demonstrated y. Write down questions for your supervisors based on their recent work so that you can involved and understand the seat more deeply.
Be friendly. Understand that you’re there for a two week job interview. This means putting your best foot forward and getting involved in anything and everything you can. If you are friendly you will be trusted to complete work and people will be more willing to explain concepts and take time to get to know you.