associate

tax associate

life science consultant

intellectual property paralegal

finance associate

Latham & Watkins LLP

I have worked at several biglaw firms in the past ten years, always in corporate. This review pertains to the SV office only. Because L&W is an amalgamation of partners from many firms (the SV office is about 15 years old), there are many different work styles, expectations, and, often, competing partner interests. This can lead to partners fighting over your time, not respecting that you might be overstaffed on highly active transactions, or...getting an A+ on an assignment done in one way and getting yelled at by the next partner for doing the exact same thing. Yes, I understand that this is biglaw, and we don't all hold hands and sing, but...even for biglaw, this firm was very contentious internallly.

I've never worked in such a dysfunctional place. Many of the people I worked with (staff and attorneys) were lovely. It was mostly the partners who could be incredibly mercurial. Most associates do not stay long--L&W is very much a "get the name on your resume" and run, run, run. Even junior partners tend to stay only as long as they have to before they run too!

I did have some very cool clients--consumer products household names, tech companies you'd know...but that did not make up for the fact that any given day your phone could ring with someone yelling about something (often which had nothing to do with you or your projects). In short, it was not a happy place to work.

I would also advise that the location is very isolating (but great if you want to commute from SF or anywhere near 101). There's very little food nearby and you are essentially stuck with the not-great (but discounted) cafe food (which is brought in) or BYO lunch.

If you are looking to be a paralegal on the corporate side, I would warn any newcomer that the worst, messiest, most difficult clients will be handed to you to "fix" with little attorney oversight or assistance. It can be truly awful to deal with the incredibly high corporate paralegal turnover that causes major "aftermath" problems.

This office (and L&W in general) is/are really fantastic about their commitment to pro bono work, and I applaud the firm for emphasizing pro bono in a genuine and meaningful way.

My day starts early at 8am, beginning with checking for possible personal emails and tickets for me after I leave the day before. If there are some, I like to take care of those or do the most I can immediately. This outlines the rest of my day after that. I constantly check for support tickets, emails, and phone calls that arise that call for assisting either staff and attorneys. it's common for me certain occasions where I need to take care of multiple tickets while I'm on the floor; meeting up with multiple users in one run. My 8 to 430 is long and busy but it's a great company and I've learned so much from them. 

At Latham & Watkins, I've learned great things that every great company should have. One skill being time management, every minute is valuable in the work place, what we do with it matters. Great time management is great for productivity and supports excellent customer service. I've also learned how to work with a great team all with the same goal of excellent customer service. Working is great, working with a team is even better. Team work requires a great personality and communication skills. Communication is a big part of working as technology support, it keeps up the fast pace and productivity in the company. 

Management at Latham & Watkins is fantastic. The manager of technology is a great leader, very understandable and has a great passion for technology. One of the keys to having a great company, is having great leaders. The management at Latham & Watkins is filled with great leaders and management. This is reflected in the companies success. 

My co-workers are fun to work with. We all have different stories and lives but we're all connected through our love for technology. We're able to easily work through disagreements and efficiently solve problems together. 

The hardest part of my job is my commute. I live in fredericksburg, virginia, and DC traffic is pretty hectic.  

Most enjoyable part of the job is working with a passionate yet productive group of people. The management and coworkers are easy to get a long with and they keep the work place interesting and fun.

At Latham I worked for the most difficult Attorney at the LA Office at that time. He had gone through 13 secretaries in 9 years until I came along and I worked for him for 10 years before going out on disability leave. After I left he went through 6 more secretaries before his retirement. Also there are unprofessional liaisons that occur between attorneys and staff. Upon my return I was assigned to the floater pool instead of my desk. Floating was awesome as I was able to work in all the various departments. However in October of 2007 the L.A. Office laid off 1/5th of their staff and the following March (2008) another 1/5th thus leaving the firm short staffed and those left had to take on 5-8:1 attorneys to staff ratio. Most firms have a 2-3:1 ratio. There are cliques and of course the firm gossip was never reprimanded and shopped online most days. The salary and benefits were amazing however only attorneys were allowed to eat in the dining room. The staff may go thru the lunch line or order your lunch. Breakfast is provided daily. You may go down for drinks and cookies anytime. OT is required quite a lot of the time and a meal allowance is given unless the kitchen staff prepares dinner for the clients and staff. Work to life ratio is not very conducive. It also takes 9 years to make partner for attorneys and advancement opportunities for staff is limited. There are some pretty good perks offered to staff. Overall, I feel if Management was reconstructed and the Secretarial Supervisors weren't allowed to get away with all their lies, it would have made for a much better work environment. 

My experience at Latham & Watkins was both pleasurable and informative. I learned the latest technology or application required to streamline the tasks of the job. I worked with a good team of people which made the job enjoyable to do.

I was responsible for working with attorneys who held a very high position at the firm. I delegated and performed tasks under their supervision in some instances, and at other times, independently. I traveled to various companies performing tasks affiliated with closings or gathered information in order to assist with upcoming trials. I performed daily administrative and clerical duties utilizing word processing skills which was always the latest in technology. I was highly depended on and my skills were utilized effectively.

I often reflect on this firm as one of the most memorable. Their management was well-handled. They recognized hard work and dedication and gave appropriate assignments and increases accordingly. This firm let me go beyond the call of duty. I could even work outside of the box on occasions.

Latham & Watkins was an employee-oriented firm. They often had gatherings such as picnics on the terrace and Christmas parties. They gave great bonuses and excellent benefits. Latham & Watkins is the only firm I worked for that paid a monthly travel expense to their employees.

It was truly a pleasure working for Latham & Watkins. I made many long-lasting friends and had an experience I will always remember fondly.

The hardest part of the job was the last-minute/tedious requests from attorneys, which was totally acceptable just strenuous. However, it definitely helped the process along knowing we were very well compensated for any and all overtime, including weekends. The Senior Paralegals and attorneys I worked with were all very friendly and easy to talk to, which was a big help if I had any questions or inquiries regarding the assignments I was given or the task at hand. I'd say the most enjoyable and rewarding part of te job had to do with the people I worked with. From attorneys to paralegals, everyone treated one another with respect and gratitude. Eventually, some of my best friends ended up being co-workers of mine so there was always a great attitude and wonderful working environment every day, regardless of how time-consuming and tedious the project at hand. All in all, I highly recommend Latham & Watkins as an employer. I worked in their San Francisco office and absolutely loved it.

Latham has many departments on the staff side that can be flat, with limited opportunity for growth, and managers won't often look to their team for promotions and can search outside rather than train up. It is often up to the employee to advocate for themselves and find their opportunity. That said, there are many departments which you can find other ways to grow through a "lattice approach" and moving to a different department, which Latham supports. Some groups are more supportive than others, it all depends on the department leadership, and isn't a reflection of the leadership of the firm as a whole. The firm provides excellent trainings for leaders, but unfortunately, there is no follow through to make sure those leaders are taking that training back and implementing it effectively.

The firm provides great benefits and genuinely cares about the well-being of its people. There are many affinity groups and diversity programs which provide a forum for an inclusive environment, and the firm continues to strive to learn and grow in this regard.

Technology is top notch and often a leader in the industry.

I worked as a legal secretary in the Washington, DC office. The training is decent, but be ready to learn quickly. Many of the younger attorneys are less reliant on secretary assistance, so the attorney to secretary ratio is high. One secretary is expected to support 5 to 8 attorneys of their own, plus the attorneys of any neighboring secretaries who happen to be out.  Busy and fast paced is an understatement- there is never a dull moment. Overtime is usually available for those who want it. The salary, benefits, and firm perks (like free Friday morning bagels and doughnuts, fun holiday events, free gym, and occasional jeans' days) are all part of what makes Latham interesting. They also have a pie eating contest around Thanksgiving. Overall, a good place to work if you don't mind being very busy.

Latham & Watkins is a Perfect Place to Work.Workflow is way Different than Litigation Corporations,it's all based on Computer Processes,Communication is the number ONE KEY.Manager's & Employee's are All Friendly,if your having a problem they will Assist you to solve the problem,they are Like one Big Family.Work is Never hard unless you know & are willing to make it Easy,if you have Skills and they see that in you, then they know your Good & your in the right Place.Coming from Corporation's Everything is paper wise,your constantly writing,Supervisor's place you in one position,you are not allowed,to move to different positions WITHOUT being Told too.
What I Enjoyed about Working with Latham & Watkins is THEM SEEING ME DOING WHAT SO MANY FLOATERS/TEMPS CAN NOT DO!!!,My Skill,Knowledge,Devotion,Friendliness,Hard work,always Assisting others for Help even though it's not my Department.

I was at Latham 10 years ago. I found the firm to have a high turn over of personnel, almost on a weekly basis.  That is an indication of bad employee management. Those who have been there more than 5 years end up staying and being part of the furniture. I found the firm to be generous with their salaries, but very click-ish and territorial by those who have been there a while. If you are not accepted by the very one who hired you, then you are NOT a part of the Latham Family. Back stabbing and career blocking is prevalent at the firm. Those in middle management appear to not be helpful with information needed in order to do one's job, Or in promoting those they over see. Nor is there any sort of training or orientation for new Employees to help guide them to do things the Latham way.  
It's like working in a trap that will snap shut on you for minor easily fixable issues or situations.
Over all not such a great firm as it makes itself out to be. 
Beware.


Starting off the day,checking for any Job Postings(PDF) from Latham & Watkins facility Team.Making a Job Ticket and Verifying the Jobs Instructions to the Jobs Time Limit,Processing the Print Job/ Hard Copy.Management at Latham is Way Different from the small Shop's that I started in,Working with the BEST has given me an Upgrade to Blending in! Do to the Fact that I have Knowledge in a TEAM where I really do belong.You never feel Alone,the Co-worker's are their to Assist you and make you feel wright at Home.This Line of work is not hard,it's All based on you,if you are willing to Learn New Methods,then Every assignment that is given to you is a peace of cake,just ask Questions if you feel that something is not wright.Learning,meeting Great People,knowing that you have accomplish your Dream."I MADE IT" Here is where I Belong!!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Associate 18 salaries reported	$252,778 per year
Tax associate 16 salaries reported	$215,000 per year
Life science consultant 11 salaries reported	$215,000 per year
Intellectual property paralegal 7 salaries reported	$215,000 per year
Finance associate 7 salaries reported	$215,000 per year

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