Reading time: 3 mins
What do you currently study, and why did you decide to pivot into a career in law?
I’m currently a third-year history student. I’ve always loved the subject, particularly the process of building arguments from a set of objective facts. I see lots of parallels with law: just as historians start from the facts, lawyers start from the law and apply it to achieve their client’s objectives. Studying history has also helped me develop skills, such as attention to detail, that translate well into law.
Exploring commercial law seriously at university made me realise it was the path for me. Through Law Society events, internships, and first-year schemes, I discovered how international and dynamic the career is and, importantly, that I would genuinely enjoy the day-to-day work.
I first came across Latham & Watkins in my first year of university. It stood out as a rapidly growing firm at the top of the legal market, and training there quickly became an ambition of mine.
What did you do to build your commercial awareness and understanding of the legal profession?
I quickly realised how important commercial awareness was when applying for training contracts. Initially, I focused on reading the news and listening to the FT News Briefing each morning. However, I soon learned that commercial awareness is about much more than knowing what is happening in the news.
I started learning how businesses actually work and, crucially, where lawyers fit into that. I taught myself how an M&A deal works and the commercial drivers behind transactions, before gradually learning about areas like loans and capital markets. Law firm events and resources like Commercial Law Academy were particularly helpful in making unfamiliar concepts more accessible.
Balancing this with my degree and extracurriculars was sometimes challenging, so I tried to do a little every day, even if it was only ten minutes. I found that consistency made a huge difference: a little bit over time goes a long way.
How did you find the application process and preparing for the programme, as someone not studying law?
It was definitely daunting at first! As a non-law student, it can initially seem like there is a huge amount to learn, but I found that getting started was the hardest part.
I asked lots of questions and spoke to other non-law students who had been through the application process, and people were always happy to help. I also made use of my university’s Non-Law into Law Society and online resources to teach myself legal and commercial concepts that I hadn’t encountered through my degree, from how transactions work to warranties and indemnities.
What advice would you give other Non-Law students considering a Latham & Watkins programme?
Don’t be intimidated by coming from a non-law background. You aren’t expected to have the same legal knowledge as someone who has studied law for several years. Instead, focus on learning as much as you can and staying curious. Every extra bit of knowledge is another opportunity to demonstrate your interest.
I’d also think carefully about the skills your degree has given you and how they would make you a good lawyer. For me, history has taught me how to analyse large amounts of information, pay close attention to detail, and construct persuasive arguments.
Finally, don’t abandon your extracurriculars just because you’re applying to law firms! Continue doing the things you genuinely enjoy. They help you develop useful skills, give you experiences to talk about in applications and interviews, and ultimately make you a more well-rounded candidate.