Meet Rula and learn about her experience at Latham & Watkins

What inspired you to apply for this role/ this company?

Attending Latham’s open day confirmed that this was the kind of firm I wanted to work for. I was drawn to the calibre of its clients and the consistency with which it handles complex, precedent-setting work across practice areas and jurisdictions. 
Latham’s commitment to pro bono work, where unlimited pro bono hours count towards billable targets, was also a major factor. Pro bono is an important priority for me, and Latham offers the best platform to pursue it meaningfully alongside fee-earning matters.

Tell us about what you got up to on the vacation scheme?

During the two weeks, I sat with the Litigation and Fintech teams, where I completed research tasks and got involved in live matters, including a pro bono case and a client call. The scheme also included talks on the firm’s practice areas, training, pro bono initiatives, and affinity groups. A particular highlight was coffee chats with people across different departments, which gave me a broader understanding of the firm and its people. I also enjoyed the socials, which included a partner dinner and a trip to see Six the Musical.

What is the culture like at Latham & Watkins?

The culture at Latham is collaborative and ambitious. Everyone I met, from trainees to partners, was approachable and friendly, which created a strong sense of community. Numerous conversations highlighted how this collaboration extends across the firm’s international offices, where it is easy to pick up the phone to any Latham lawyer worldwide and know that they will be willing to support. 
At the same time, there’s a shared drive for excellence. People are motivated to continually improve, and the firm fosters that ambition by offering early responsibility and exposure to complex work.

Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Latham & Watkins

Understand both the trainee role and Latham as a business, and always link this back to your own experiences and skills. Once you truly understand the trainee role and how it can differ between practice areas, you can then critically reflect on how your experiences have prepared you to excel in those tasks. It’s also important to identify how Latham is unique and explain why that matters to you. The more specific and personal your reasons, the stronger your application will be. I found that reaching out to current trainees on LinkedIn was particularly helpful in gaining real insight into the role and the firm.