Latham & Watkins Application Guide 2027
Every programme, deadline, and requirement for applying to Latham & Watkins. Plus a free CV checker to see if you pass screening.
Programmes
Latham & Watkins programmes
Training Contract
Eligibility
Law and non-law graduates (with GDL/SQE)
Opens
December
Deadline
Varies by firm
Duration
2 years (4 seats)
Vacation Scheme
~70-80% conversionEligibility
Penultimate-year undergraduates and GDL/LPC students
Opens
October
Deadline
December-January
Duration
2 weeks
Requirements
What Latham & Watkins looks for
Drive and ambition, US firm culture rewards ambition. They want people who push boundaries.
Commercial awareness, Know current deals, market trends, and Latham's recent matters.
Resilience, US firm hours (55-70/week) are demanding. Show sustained effort under pressure.
Analytical excellence, Complex cross-border deals require precision and analytical depth.
Team orientation, Large deal teams. Collaboration is essential.
Cultural fit, US firm culture in London is distinct. Show you understand and embrace it.
Grade requirements
Typically AAA at A-Level and a 2:1 degree. Some firms use contextual recruitment.
Tips
How to apply to Latham & Watkins
Latham pays the highest NQ salary. Show you want the work intensity that comes with it.
Latham pays the most. Show you want it for the work quality, not just compensation.
Know their PE practice, Latham is the go-to for PE sponsors globally.
US firm culture is different. Show you understand the higher intensity and embrace it.
Smaller TC intake means more competition but also more partner attention.
Reference a specific Latham deal, they advise on the largest PE transactions.
Proofread everything. Latham & Watkins receives thousands of applications, copy-paste errors from other firms are obvious and result in immediate rejection.
CV check
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CV standards
Latham & Watkins CV requirements
One page maximum for undergraduates. Two pages acceptable for graduates with significant legal experience.
Education first, include degree classification (or predicted), A-level results, and relevant modules or dissertation topics.
Legal experience prominently featured, vacation schemes, mini-pupillages, pro bono, mooting, law society involvement.
Quantify achievements where possible, "managed a team of 15" or "contributed to a brief covering £2m in damages".
Tailor to Latham & Watkins, reference practice areas that align with your interests and the firm's strengths.
Professional formatting, consistent fonts, clear section headers, no colours or graphics.
Success rates
Latham & Watkins conversion rates
| Stage | Conversion |
|---|---|
| Application → Online assessment | Selective (estimated ~20-30%) |
| Online assessment → Video interview | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Video interview → Assessment centre | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Assessment centre → Offer | Estimated ~30-50% |
| Vacation scheme → Training contract | Typically 70-80% |
| Overall application → offer | Estimated ~5-6% |
FAQ
Latham & Watkins application FAQs
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