Associates help lead.
An equal number of associates and partners manage associate reviews and bonuses and make promotion recommendations. Associates also participate on management committees and take part in affinity group leadership.
Effective lawyers learn throughout their careers, and law school is just the beginning of the journey. A career at Latham means embarking on a path of perpetual growth, whether joining as a first-year associate or a mid-career lateral. We support professional development with robust, comprehensive training, coaching, networking, and mentoring programs that encourage lawyers to explore their interests, hone and expand their skills, and chart their own path. We also reserve positions in firm leadership for associates, in order to ensure a diversity of views, inform decisions, and give junior lawyers leadership experience at an early stage in their careers.
An equal number of associates and partners manage associate reviews and bonuses and make promotion recommendations. Associates also participate on management committees and take part in affinity group leadership.
During an associate’s first year, they can follow their intellectual curiosity to explore any number of the firm’s market-leading practices before choosing a department and practice.
Supervisors provide feedback on writing, legal and factual analysis, and performance throughout the year, and we ask all associates to review their supervisors on a confidential basis, in-line with our culture of transparency and continual improvement.
Latham provides billable credit and no cap on approved pro bono and knowledge management projects. We encourage all lawyers to participate in meaningful pro bono projects and contribute to the firm’s library of thought leadership and knowledge resources.
Every new and lateral associate is assigned a formal mentor to help orient and support the associate as they begin their progression. Practice and affinity groups offer additional formal and informal mentoring opportunities, as do local offices. Organic, informal mentorship takes off as lawyers integrate into their practice groups and draw on the support and knowledge of more senior lawyers.
Latham’s first-year Core Curriculum training bridges the gap between law school and law firm practice. In addition, the Training & Career Enhancement Committee hosts a number of annual multi-day skills programs, including a financial literacy curriculum, trial advocacy retreats, and programs specifically tailored to pivotal stages in associates’ careers, such as contract drafting and persuasive writing, presentation skills, and negotiations training.
Latham academies bring together associate classes from around the world, helping to build connections and camaraderie among colleagues as well as develop individual capabilities. From learning Latham culture and “nuts and bolts” skills as summer and junior associates, to mastery of project management and team leadership abilities in preparation to progress to counsel or partner, Latham Academies lift lawyers up to their highest potential and strengthen connections across the firm’s global platform.
Summer Academy
Provides summer associates with a formal introduction to the firm, our culture and our practice areas, and the opportunity to meet attorneys and summer associate colleagues.
First Year Academy
Provides training on Latham culture, management, and structure, as well as “nuts and bolts” skills for associates as they begin their careers as Latham attorneys and integrate into the firm.
Fourth Year Academy & Diversity Leadership Academy
Provides critical mid-level associate training with an emphasis on supervision and project management skills. The Diversity Leadership Academy immediately follows as an optional program for fourth year associates who have an interest in diversity issues at the firm and in the industry at large.
Sixth Year Academy & Women’s Leadership Academy
Provides critical training for seasoned associates, with an emphasis on the progression process and leadership skills. The Women’s Leadership Academy for associates immediately precedes, providing focused professional development training in the areas of leadership, communication, and business development.