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Latham & Watkins
A global US law firm with a substantial London practice in corporate transactions, finance, capital markets and restructuring.
About Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins was established in 1934 and operates through an integrated international partnership. Its London practice advises companies, financial institutions and private equity investors on substantial transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. Corporate M&A, leveraged finance, capital markets and restructuring are particular strengths, supported by competition, tax, technology and other specialist teams. The firm’s international platform enables London lawyers to coordinate matters involving Europe, the US, Asia and other markets. For prospective trainees, this provides exposure to the connections between business acquisitions, financing arrangements and the legal issues that arise when companies grow or encounter financial difficulty. Its London programme recruits approximately 32 trainees annually.
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats, including corporate and finance. Trainees can apply for a secondment during their third or fourth seat. Depending on business demand, international destinations may include Dubai, Hong Kong, Madrid, Singapore and the US. Trainees receive support from a supervisor, associate mentor and the Trainee Development Team, alongside guidance on practice choices and qualification.
Training includes induction, seat-specific technical sessions, drafting and legal writing, with mid-seat and end-of-seat feedback. Future trainees complete SQE preparation at BPP, together with an additional course tailored to Latham. Non-law graduates also undertake the PGDL. The firm covers course fees and associated costs and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant for each course. Its published policy also provides reimbursement of fees where candidates have already completed the PGDL or SQE assessments.
Practice areas & rankings
Latham & Watkins has 35 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2026. Its Band 1 rankings include Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above, Leveraged Finance: Lenders: Big Ticket, and Restructuring/Insolvency in London. It also holds Band 1 UK-wide rankings for High-Yield Products, CLOs and Banking Litigation.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice handles major international transactions, including distressed acquisitions and public company deals. Clients include corporates, private equity sponsors and investment banks. Its work includes advising Darktrace on Thoma Bravo’s US$5.3 billion takeover offer.
Ranked Band 1 for Leveraged Finance: Lenders: Big Ticket, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the team advises on complex cross-border financing arrangements. Its work spans institutional lending, debt funds, acquisition finance and bespoke financing structures, including payment-in-kind loans and term loan B facilities.
Ranked Band 1 for Capital Markets: High-Yield Products, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises sponsors and issuers on substantial bond transactions. Its international capabilities support deals across Europe, the US and emerging markets. Work includes advising Belron UK Finance on its debut €850 million senior secured notes issuance.
Ranked Band 1 for Restructuring/Insolvency, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice represents both creditors and debtors. Its work includes schemes of arrangement, special situations, European restructurings and US Chapter 11 proceedings. Clients include lenders, sponsors, companies, shareholders and insolvency practitioners.
Awards
M&A Team of the YearLegal Business Awards 2026
Awarded for advising Anglo American plc on its $70bn merger of equals with Teck Resources, described as a landmark in UK public M&A.
International Law Firm of the YearBritish Legal Awards 2025
Recognised for its leadership across key practices, the strength of its global platform and its approach to cross-border mandates.
Transatlantic Firm of the YearThe Lawyer Awards 2026
Judges described the firm as a true tier one transatlantic powerhouse.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Latham recruits London trainees exclusively through its vacation schemes. Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 6 December 2026 for both schemes:
- Spring: 5–16 April 2027.
- Summer: 21 June–2 July 2027.
Applications are reviewed after the deadline. Candidates normally need AAB at A level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree, with mitigating circumstances considered.
For preparation, explain your interest in the London practice through specific research. Consider how its corporate, finance and capital markets teams work together on a transaction, and connect that understanding to your own motivation and experience. Current application questions and word limits were not publicly verified.
Latham & Watkins: quick answers
How much does Latham & Watkins pay trainees?
Latham & Watkins pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Latham & Watkins earn £180,000.
When is the Latham & Watkins vacation scheme deadline?
Latham & Watkins runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 6 Dec and the spring scheme closes on 6 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Latham & Watkins take on?
Latham & Watkins takes on around 32 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Latham & Watkins use in its applications?
Latham uses bespoke online assessments. The first stage includes a simulated pro bono case, scenario-based responses and a motivational assessment exploring working preferences. The application guide then lists a critical reasoning assessment and two short video interviews at the second stage. Candidates receive feedback identifying strengths and development areas. The situational judgement component is untimed, while video responses are timed. The published completion window is 72 hours after submitting the application. Applicants who successfully attend an open day are exempt from repeating its online test when applying for a vacation scheme in the same academic year. For preparation, use the firm’s preparation resources and practise evaluating workplace scenarios carefully. Distinguish the facts provided from assumptions, and consider the consequences of different actions. Follow the instructions in your invitation for the exact assessment sequence.
What grades do you need to apply to Latham & Watkins?
To apply to Latham & Watkins you will generally need a 2:1+ degree. At A-level, Latham & Watkins asks for AAB or equivalent. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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