First Year Insight Scheme Participant Review

The scheme provided students with an insight into the culture, the working practices and the various characteristics of the firm which allows it to operate as the second largest US firm in the world. This included shadowing associates whilst they navigated deals using the 'one firm culture' initiative and attending networking events with partners, trainees and associates to learn more about affinity groups such as Women Enriching Business which diversify the firm.

Since attending the Insight Scheme, my confidence in networking has developed significantly and I'm now able to understand legal jargon such as Mergers and Aquisitions, Insolvency, and Arbitration. I've developed the skill of consistently growing commercial awareness and learning how to do so effectively as a result of speaking to current Latham trainees. I've also advanced my 'people skills' and have learned how to converse in a professional setting.

It was a greatly detailed insight into the firm. The clarification provided by Latham lawyers on sector-specific deals and the daily tasks we'd be expected to complete in sector-specific practices helped me both better understand the career path I'm chasing and clarified my ambitions to work at the firm. I learned so much purely through osmosis on the scheme, the whole learning process was really rewarding. My industry knowledge has significantly grown.

The company culture was incredibly friendly. During my time at the firm, I had coffees with trainees, associates and partners alike - all of whom made me feel welcome and engaged happily with all questions I had for them, despite their hectic schedules. There didn't seem to be any archetype of a hierarchy between partners vs trainees either - most panels were hosted by a mix of the two and they worked together cohesively.

The Latham Insight scheme was my favourite by far. The work we completed ranged from navigating case studies to aiding associates on real-life deals. The graduate recruitment team made sure they were always accesible to us should we need anything and the employees at the firm were welcoming and embraced our curiosities. It was my first insight scheme and it exceeded my expectations, I would definitely go back.

Yes

The biggest tip I would give is: research and prepare genuine questions. If there is a particular deal you're interested in, research the lawyers that worked on it and ask them for a coffee. From my experience, they'll be more than willing to give you 30 minutes of their time and this could spark an interest in an area you never thought of before!