Training, Support & Benefits
Professional Development
What’s in it for you as a trainee?
What you take away from your experience with us matters as crucially as the work you contribute. During your time as a Trainee at Latham, we’ll provide a strong foundation for your progress through our open feedback culture and transparent review process.
Pre-qualification
At the start of your training contract you will have an initial induction to help set you up for success at Latham.
You will receive rotation-specific training at the start of each of your seats, which includes a range of fundamental legal topics, knowledge management, library and resources, contract drafting, and legal writing. In addition, you will be invited to attend our cross practice and department specific training programmes.
Your induction is also a great opportunity to get to know your fellow trainees and other colleagues, while learning more about the firm, how we operate as a business, and how to make the most of trainee life.
Continual Development
Post-qualification, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn more.
TACE (Training and Career Enhancement) Committee
The TACE Committee aims to provide world-class training and development to equip Latham attorneys to be leaders in their respective fields.
TACE follows Latham lawyers through their entire careers, beginning as a newly qualified associate all the way through to partnership, and helps them to develop the fundamental skills necessary for success at each key point in one’s career.
Global TACE Academy
We typically host 11 distinct multi-day TACE Academies annually, including First Year Academy, Fourth Year Academy, Sixth Year Academy, and New Partner Academy, among others.
As well as providing substantive skills training and sessions focused on Latham as a business, its culture and management, TACE Academies facilitate global integration, and provide opportunities to build cross-border relationships and networks with colleagues needed for success.
Ongoing Legal Education Series
After you qualify at the firm, there will be a unique six week orientation which has been designed to help you hone a specialised personal and professional skillset that will equip you for associate life at Latham.
All of the firm’s departments, most practice groups, and several industry groups organise their own training curricula, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis. These trainings are held via firmwide videoconferences and local office presentations. In addition, the TACE Committee hosts global training sessions on a regular basis on a variety of topics.
Real Responsibility
Our trainees will tell you just how much responsibility you take on from your first day, particularly in comparison to their friends at other firms.
With the right energy and mind set, you will quickly be treated like a junior associate; actively involved in client calls and meetings, and work of a higher level.
Helping You Thrive at Latham
You’ll quickly get to know the people at Latham. On accepting a Training Contract with us, we’ll pair you up with a trainee mentor and provide opportunities to connect with our Affinity Groups; you’ll also be invited to a number of social events prior to joining – which we hope will support your transition into the firm.
Your trainee mentor will provide guidance and support, offering advice from their own recent experience.
Upon joining, you will also have an associate mentor to help you navigate your career and journey into a successful lawyer.
A supervisor for each seat, at associate or partner level will be part of your day-to-day team, providing regular feedback and guidance.
Our Trainee Development team are also here to support you every step of the way.
Qualifications
To apply, you should have achieved a minimum of AAB (or equivalent) at A-level, and be on track/have gained a minimum of a 2:1 at degree level.
Trainees joining the firm from 2024 onwards, will also need to study for the SQE (which replaces the LPC) - you can read further details about the SQE assessments here.
Prior to commencing your Training Contract we’ll enroll you on a comprehensive preparation course with the firm’s chosen training provider, BPP, to set you up for success for passing the SQE assessments. You’ll also participate in an additional course, designed specifically for Latham trainees, which will equip you with commercially focused knowledge and skills, and help you make the most of your training contract. Providing a key foundation for your legal career at Latham is essential.
You can learn more about our implementation of the SQE here.
Many Latham trainees chose to study a non-law subject at degree level. To support our non-law graduates before they join, we will enroll them on the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (the “PGDL”), which is an 8 month course that provides an important introduction to foundational legal concepts and gets you thinking like a lawyer. Non-law graduates will then join the law-graduates in their cohort who undertook a law degree, to undertake the SQE preparation course together.
Latham will cover the above mentioned course fees and associated costs. We will also pay a maintenance grant of £20,000 for each course to support you while you study.
Already completed the PGDL and/or the SQE assessments? We’ll reimburse your fees.
Performance Management
Our review process works differently to other firms. You’ll receive ongoing feedback (mid-seat and end of seat) from supervisors and partners, along with comprehensive feedback at the completion of each rotation.
We have designed a process that ensures you receive every opportunity to develop and become the best associate you can be.
Your supervisor will be responsible for your review process and ongoing development, but feedback will also come from other lawyers you’ve worked with, as you will be working on a number of different matters with a number of different people.
Benefits
Through our “LiveWell Latham” program, we offer a range of benefits and resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life’s moments. From building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future, LiveWell Latham supports you with comprehensive resources and best-in-class benefits. Investing in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm’s highest priorities.
Learn more about our commitment to well-being here. For detailed benefit information, please reach out to Recruiting.Graduate.LO@lw.com.