Associate Participation in Firm Management

Recognizing the value of teamwork and that broader input from attorneys at all levels results in better decisions, associates participate in many of the committees through which we manage our firm, including the Associates Committee—comprised of roughly half partners and half associates – which manages associate reviews, policies and bonus allocation, among other things. The Associates Committee also plays a pivotal role in partnership recommendations, thereby including associates in the partnership decision process.

Unassigned Associate Program

We understand that choosing a practice area right out of law school may be difficult for many new associates. So, we don't require it. Instead, we take a flexible approach to associate staffing through our hallmark Unassigned Associate Program for US associates. On arrival, new associates enjoy the opportunity to explore our 50+ practice groups, working with and learning from a variety of experienced attorneys before choosing a department that best fits their skills and interests.

Training & Professional Development

Our firm offers a wide array of training opportunities for lawyers at all levels. Integral to our global training program are our multi-day, in-person training academies, which are held at each critical stage of our lawyers' careers - Summer Academy, First Year Academy, Third Year Academy, Fifth Year Academy and New Partner Academy. 

We also offer a Women’s Leadership Academy, which is specifically designed for our senior associates, and provides focused professional development training for their progression at the firm and as leaders in the legal industry, as well as providing training to support their business development activities with clients. 

Big believers in the “learn-by-doing” method, we also hold a number of multi-day skills programs, including our Trial Advocacy Program, Deposition Training Program and M&A Academy, where our associates get to practice their skills and learn from our experienced partners. 

Formal training curricula are also made available, on a regular basis, throughout the year, including: (i) Core Curriculum, which covers practical skills that first-year associates need to successfully practice at the firm, (ii) Interdisciplinary Curriculum, which covers timely issues relevant to all lawyers, regardless of practice area; (iii) Advanced Transactional Curriculum, which provides training on practical skills and current developments relevant to transactional attorneys; (iv) Advanced Controversy Curriculum, which provides training on practical skills and current developments relevant to litigation attorneys; and (v) practice group-specific curricula for the numerous areas in which our attorneys practice.

As part of our commitment to professional development, the firm launched the Women Enriching Business (WEB) initiative to help address the business challenges and opportunities unique to women lawyers and to existing and prospective women clients. WEB is designed to promote women’s success in business through mentoring and training, expanding business networking opportunities and investing in the long-term success of women.

Flexibility

At Latham & Watkins, we recognize that our lawyers have varied interests outside of the office and our policies reflect a fundamental commitment to fostering a healthy work-life balance while allowing our attorneys to excel in their professional practices.  Below are just a few examples of this flexible approach.

Generous Leave Policies

Latham has one of the most generous parental leave policies of major law firms. Birth mothers and primary caregivers are afforded 18 weeks of paid leave, while parents in other roles can take advantage of four weeks of paid leave. The firm is also flexible in arranging time off to care for an elderly parent or to tend to a family emergency.

 
Reduced-Pace Program

In 2009, the firm introduced a way to help associates transition back to work after a parental care leave by relieving them of the immediate pressure of full-time work requirements – our PRO-RATA (Pace Reduction Option for Returning Associates to Adjust) program.  PRO-RATA program gives associates the automatic option of reducing their schedule by working at a reduced pace for six months upon returning to the firm following a parental care leave.

Managing Work Through Technology

Our attorneys are also able to achieve greater flexibility in managing their workload through the use of firm technology. We provide our attorneys with notebook computers as well as Blackberry PDAs or support for personal PDAs provided that they run the RIM or Goodlink secure email application. When working remotely, our attorneys can take advantage of multiple methods for seamless and secure remote access to firm systems, including a software-based “SoftPhone” through which attorneys can place, receive and handle calls from their notebook computers. In addition, to help minimize travel and time away from home, the firm’s Telepresence rooms provide high-quality, face-to-face video conference capabilities in many of our offices. Technology and document support is available 24/7 – whenever and wherever it is needed, allowing attorneys to remotely access our global document center and technology assistance at any time.

Mobility Between Offices

With 30 offices around the world, our attorneys enjoy the option of working in another Latham offices should work or life require a temporary or permanent move.