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Hey everyone,

This forum has been a god-send during OCI times, and now I need some personalized advice. I have an offer from Latham in NYC expiring soon, and I have one or two other v100 offers expiring soon. The people at Latham I've talked to have all been people I've clicked with, and that's been great, which is why they're at the top of my list.

My question is: I've heard that the Latham SA experience is a "party-hard" experience. While I love going out and socializing, I don't want to be going out 5 nights a weeks until 3am getting smashed to keep up appearances, and then have to get into work the next day.

Does anyone have experience with the LW SA program, and whether someone who likes to keep somewhat of a balance on the socizling/drinking side would still fit in?

Thanks everyone

I worked in a another Latham office this summer. There were usually 2 events with alcohol per week, and sometimes random happy hours, bar stuff, after parties with attorneys after the summer events, things like that. I drink but never felt pressured to do so and I never felt pressured to do the extra stuff like the after parties and so I rarely did them. I did all the official summer events and usually had a couple drinks and that was it. Wasn't a problem.

I've heard rumors of the NYC office going clubbing and stuff and the people I met from that office did seem kind of "fratty" for the most part (whatever that means). It's a big office, I'm sure you'll be fine just doing everything in moderation. That's the ideal way to handle the summer I think. Just do good work, go to the events and be friendly with people and you'll get an offer.

Desert Fox wrote:I didn't work at LAtham, but I did go up against them in a markman hearing. One of their juniors fucking ICED me in front of the judge. It was so embarassing. I had to chug it right there. I looked like a bitch.

and you didn't have an ice on hand to block it? that is embarassing

I worked in a another Latham office this summer. There were usually 2 events with alcohol per week, and sometimes random happy hours, bar stuff, after parties with attorneys after the summer events, things like that. I drink but never felt pressured to do so and I never felt pressured to do the extra stuff like the after parties and so I rarely did them. I did all the official summer events and usually had a couple drinks and that was it. Wasn't a problem.

I've heard rumors of the NYC office going clubbing and stuff and the people I met from that office did seem kind of "fratty" for the most part (whatever that means). It's a big office, I'm sure you'll be fine just doing everything in moderation. That's the ideal way to handle the summer I think. Just do good work, go to the events and be friendly with people and you'll get an offer.

Cool, thanks for the helpful answer. Did you ultimately end up at Latham?

I'd be far more worried about Latham for the other ways they treat their associates (boom and bust layoffs) than for giving summers a good time. Just go to the events you want to and not others

jbagelboy wrote:I'd be far more worried about Latham for the other ways they treat their associates (boom and bust layoffs) than for giving summers a good time. Just go to the events you want to and not others

I know what you're saying - I'm aware of the mass stealth ruthless layoffs that happened 7 years ago. With that in mind, I'm more concerned about my question having taken into account how they treated their new associates during the downturn.

My S/O summered at the NYC office this summer and accepted an offer there. They had some kind of evening event (dinners, bowling, TWO concerts etc.) a few times a month, typically on Thursdays. The only true "party" things they did were the occasional cocktail event and a costume party during their retreat. The latest my S/O ever got home from an event was maybe like 1 am from the concerts but usually it was closer to 9 or 10, if I remember correctly. His summer was a blast. I'm not sure if other people went out partying on their own accord, but there definitely wasn't any pressure to do that. My S/O did say there is a higher proportion of bros but he had no trouble making friends, even as someone more on the nerd than bro spectrum. There are so many summers, you're going to meet people you like.

If you have any specific questions, let me know and I can PM you, I'm sure my S/O would be happy to answer anything.

Anonymous User wrote:My S/O summered at the NYC office this summer and accepted an offer there. They had some kind of evening event (dinners, bowling, TWO concerts etc.) a few times a month, typically on Thursdays. The only true "party" things they did were the occasional cocktail event and a costume party during their retreat. The latest my S/O ever got home from an event was maybe like 1 am from the concerts but usually it was closer to 9 or 10, if I remember correctly. His summer was a blast. I'm not sure if other people went out partying on their own accord, but there definitely wasn't any pressure to do that. My S/O did say there is a higher proportion of bros but he had no trouble making friends, even as someone more on the nerd than bro spectrum. There are so many summers, you're going to meet people you like.

If you have any specific questions, let me know and I can PM you, I'm sure my S/O would be happy to answer anything.

if you could PM me I definitely have some questions, thank you so much

Anonymous User wrote:

jbagelboy wrote:I'd be far more worried about Latham for the other ways they treat their associates (boom and bust layoffs) than for giving summers a good time. Just go to the events you want to and not others

I know what you're saying - I'm aware of the mass stealth ruthless layoffs that happened 7 years ago. With that in mind, I'm more concerned about my question having taken into account how they treated their new associates during the downturn.

Just keep in mind that people often have the misconception that the Latham layoffs were a one-off. But they actually did the same thing in the 90's. That's part of what made the 2009 layoffs so egregious – the firm had repeatedly assured associates that they had learned their lesson from the first time around and that it wouldn't happen again.

Mass layoffs in the 1990s, promises of "never again." Mass layoffs in the 2000s, promises of "never again." I'd be too nervous to go to Latham unless I had literally had no offers from reputable firms, but it's your dice to roll.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

jbagelboy wrote:I'd be far more worried about Latham for the other ways they treat their associates (boom and bust layoffs) than for giving summers a good time. Just go to the events you want to and not others

I know what you're saying - I'm aware of the mass stealth ruthless layoffs that happened 7 years ago. With that in mind, I'm more concerned about my question having taken into account how they treated their new associates during the downturn.

Just keep in mind that people often have the misconception that the Latham layoffs were a one-off. But they actually did the same thing in the 90's. That's part of what made the 2009 layoffs so egregious – the firm had repeatedly assured associates that they had learned their lesson from the first time around and that it wouldn't happen again.

Mass layoffs in the 1990s, promises of "never again." Mass layoffs in the 2000s, promises of "never again." I'd be too nervous to go to Latham unless I had literally had no offers from reputable firms, but it's your dice to roll.

Definitely not operating under a false sense of "the worst is behind us." I fully comprehend the possibility that if there is a market problem, I may be sliced off at a moment's notice. Be that as it may, I'm still looking for more input into my question. The other firms that I have offers from aren't nearly as strong in the areas I want to go into (Cap markets/emerging markets. Not that LW is strong in the emerging markets section by any stretch.)

Different office, but my summer had 2 summer events per week and random optional stuff. I barely went to any optional thing save for those that followed main events, and I'm one of the more social people.

We like to have a good time, but no one is sitting around keeping tally or judging people for having other things they'd rather do.

Also, NYC has a large class, I really doubt all of those people are getting out all the time.