2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Latham & Watkins

Our Survey Says

 VAULT'S VERDICT:

A BigLaw leader in terms of size and profits per partner, Latham has a comparably large reputation for its exceptional work and commitment to pro bono. Strong credentials, including top grades and journal experience, affect hiring decisions, and students from non-T14 schools get a fair shake. Personality matters, too, so that associates blend well within collegial, respectful office settings where people, including staff, socialize. Partners are approachable and invested in associates’ professional development. Moreover, formal training, including Latham University and other skills academies, is a firm strength. However, lateral hires sometime struggle to feel fully integrated into the firm’s culture. A few basic tasks aside, associate work is generally complex and sophisticated, and attorneys report level-appropriate work overall. Central staffing helps with work allocation, but associates must sometimes seek out projects. The billable target of 1,900 hours, which includes unlimited pro bono hours, allows for relatively good work-life balance. Salaries match the prevailing market rate, and bonuses often exceed those of peer firms. Latham’s technology infrastructure, including that used for remote work, is robust, and tech support is first-rate. Wellness initiatives, such as LiveWell Latham, are abundant and cover the spectrum from psychological to physical issues. Associates love the firm’s dedication to pro bono work, with some accumulating hundreds of hours per year that count as billable. The firm is also committed to diversity efforts, supporting affinity groups and granting billable credit for related work. Advancement opportunities abound in the form of counsel, non-equity partner, and equity partner positions, and Latham’s reputation also leads to desirable in-house, government, and clerkship options.