My Journey Into the Vacation Scheme

I found the application process very straightforward. The platform for submitting the application and completing the online assessments was easy to navigate. I always felt informed at each stage, and the Graduate Recruitment team was very responsive to any questions, which made the experience much less daunting.

The assessment day was equally well organised. We were briefed on the structure of the day first thing, and everything ran seamlessly, so I could focus fully on the assessments rather than worrying about logistics. Everyone I met throughout the process was very welcoming, which reinforced the positive impression I already had of the firm.

Overall, the process felt thorough, and communication from the firm was consistently clear and helpful.

Before starting the scheme, I emailed both of my supervisors and my trainee buddy to introduce myself. I also asked my supervisors whether there was anything they would recommend preparing beforehand. Although they both reassured me that there was nothing specific, I still wanted to arrive with some understanding of the areas I would be sitting in.

I read about recent matters and some of the prominent clients the firm had worked with, particularly within my allocated practice groups. I also familiarised myself with some of the key terminology I was likely to encounter. More generally, I tried to keep up with commercial developments. I personally enjoy listening to the FT News Briefing, so that was an easy way to stay aware of what was happening in the markets.

I found that having this background knowledge helped me follow conversations more easily once I arrived, without feeling that I needed to know everything in advance.

What initially attracted me to Latham was the breadth of the firm’s capabilities and how genuinely integrated its practice areas and offices are internationally. During the scheme, I saw more clearly how lawyers can be specialists in their own fields while understanding how their work intersects with other practice areas. I found that combination particularly appealing because it offers exposure to matters spanning different teams and jurisdictions without losing sight of the bigger picture.

I was also drawn to how forward-looking Latham is. Conversations with lawyers during the scheme reinforced that the firm is constantly thinking about where client demand is moving and where it can continue to grow. Hearing about areas such as private credit, digital infrastructure, and the work of the Tactical Opportunities team made that feel much more tangible. I liked that there seemed to be a real willingness to identify emerging opportunities and build expertise around them, rather than simply relying on the firm’s existing strengths.

Finally, Latham’s investment in training really stood out to me. From its academies and partner-led training to the ownership juniors take on from an early stage, Latham helps you learn quickly, with guidance and support always available. From my previous roles, I knew I enjoyed being trusted to take initiative and contribute meaningfully, so Latham’s approach to helping lawyers develop their skills particularly resonated with me.

There was not a single typical day, which was one of the things I enjoyed most about the scheme. Every day was packed with a mixture of learning, work, conversations, and socials. I felt this also reflected the nature of life as a lawyer, where each day can bring a new matter, challenge, or opportunity to learn something different. A day on the scheme might look something like:

9.30am – Practice area session: The day might begin with an introduction to a particular practice area, with sessions covering everything from restructuring to derivatives.

11.30am – Coffee chat: I would often meet a lawyer from a practice area I was interested in to learn more about their work and experience at the firm.

1pm – Lunch: Some days I had lunch with other vacation scheme participants, while on others I joined my trainee buddy or supervisors.

2pm – Supervisor work: In between scheduled sessions, I would sit with my supervisor and work on research or other tasks they had given me.

4pm – Another session or coffee chat: Afternoons often included another presentation, workshop, or conversation with someone at the firm.

6.30pm – Social: There were plenty of opportunities to socialise with the other vacation scheme participants, lawyers, and the Graduate Recruitment team. One highlight was getting to attend the firm’s summer party!

I would describe the culture as ambitious, collaborative, and welcoming. I had a great time during the scheme, and one of the things that stood out most was how generous people were with their time. Whether I was asking a question about a task, someone’s practice area, or their career, people were very willing to help and share their experiences.

Sitting with my supervisors also gave me the opportunity to see the culture in practice. There was a real sense that people wanted one another to succeed. Lawyers were happy to share knowledge and step in where they could help, rather than working in isolation.

At the same time, everyone I met was clearly driven and took real pride in producing high-quality work. I liked that this ambition did not come at the expense of collegiality. People seemed to genuinely enjoy working together and spending time with one another outside of work, which created an environment that felt both high-performing and personable.

If you are looking to secure a place on the scheme, focus on understanding why Latham specifically appeals to you and communicating that genuinely throughout the application process. Research the firm beyond its website, whether by speaking to people at networking events, following matters that genuinely interest you, or keeping up with developments in the firm’s areas of practice. Most importantly, be yourself — your motivations will come across much more naturally if they are grounded in your own experiences and interests rather than what you think the firm wants to hear.

Once you are on the scheme, make the most of every opportunity. Show genuine enthusiasm, whether you are completing a task, attending a practice-area presentation, or going to a social, and be personable with everyone you meet. One of my supervisors told me that simply being a nice person goes a long way, and that really stayed with me. Be proactive about arranging coffee chats — having access to lawyers across the London office for two weeks is a valuable opportunity, so speak to people whose backgrounds or practice areas interest you and ask thoughtful questions. Finally, stay organised. I kept notes on what I had learned, feedback I received, and things I wanted to follow up on, alongside a daily to-do list. With so much happening over two weeks, taking a few minutes to reflect at the end of each day helped me get much more out of the experience.