Associate salaries at Latham are set on a lockstep scale in U.S. offices, and all members of each class year receive the same base salary.  The firm instituted a pay freeze in 2009, but in January 2010, Latham unfroze salaries, restoring them to pre-recession levels, with starting salaries at $160,000.  Associates who bill a minimum of 1,900 hours are guaranteed a base bonus amount, with additional amounts awarded based on merit considerations.  In 2009 through 2011, the firm's median bonus amounts were above market, with top performers receiving more than double the Cravath scale.  Latham also awarded 2011 spring bonuses that matched the top-of-the-market Cravath spring bonus scale.  Typically, though, Members say that the firm is a “follower that matches the leader,” when it comes to bonus amounts.  Lateral Link Members praise the transparency of bonus allocations at the firm, though some criticized the decrease in bonus amounts in 2009, a year when partner profits increased.

The firm offers training opportunities throughout associates' careers, with Lateral Link Members confirming that trainings are “particularly excellent,” and so "abundant" that sometimes it is "hard to keep track of different opportunities."  In 2010, Members report that the firm reinstituted off-site training opportunities.  The firm offers formal mentoring, but the responses from Lateral Link Members are mixed, with half reporting that few associates take advantage of it and the other half receiving some form of mentorship.  Members also point out that "when a good partner takes you under [his or her] wing," there's nothing better.  Members report that the biannual traditional associate reviews “provide useful feedback,” and associates are also offered the chance to submit confidential upward reviews of supervising attorneys.  Associates at Latham "float" between departments for their first two years at the firm and "can try as many or as few practice areas as" desired before choosing a department that best fits their interests and skills.  Lateral Link Members report that "generally speaking, you are allowed to have preferences" during the unassigned period, "but sometimes you are obliged to work on" assignments as necessary.  The firm has a hybrid assignment system, and junior associates sometimes find work directly through relationships with partners and sometimes "receive assignments through the 'Book,'" a current record of open assignments in all practice areas.  Most associates appreciate the freedom offered by the two-year floating period and hybrid free-market system, saying it is "good for young associates" and is an ideal way "to get a lot of experience if you're willing to raise your hand and be proactive about your career."  However, others disagree and say it "makes it sometimes easy to fall through the cracks," and there are times when fourth-years are "doing the same work as" first-years.  After their first two years, attorneys typically find their own work through the free-market system, although they can still take on assignments outside their departments.

The firm was recognized in 2009 as one of MultiCultural Law Magazine’s "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" and one of the "Top 100 Law Firms for Women."  In February 2009, Latham instituted massive layoffs, terminating 190 associates and 250 staff.  In the New York office, over half of the first-year class was laid off less than four months after starting, and in the Los Angeles office, a third of the first-year class was laid off.  Despite its infamous layoff, Lateral Link Members describe current morale at the firm as “upbeat” and “much improved since early 2009.”  They also feel confident in the current management of the firm since the economic meltdown.  Additionally, most Members note that the firm is busier than it has been and they are seeing an upswing in firm hiring.  In 2011, the firm improved to an 11th place ranking in the American Lawyer's Midlevel Associate Satisfaction Survey.  In terms of quality of life, the firm received a top 20 ranking in Vault's 2012 Best Law Firms to Work For list.

Lateral Link Members report that face time typically "isn't a big deal," and while it "can help to be [seen] around" the office, face time isn't usually "required."  A Member who was a lateral hire adds that while other firms may say there is no face time requirement, “at this firm, there REALLY is no face time.”  The firm provides two to three weeks of vacation time on a use-it-or-lose-it basis.  Most Members are comfortable using their vacation time; as one Member explains, “[T]he people I work with...cover for each other and try to ensure that no one has to miss a vacation or work through one.” However, several Lateral Link Members report that associates do have to cancel vacations on occasion and are expected to check their emails when they actually get to leave on vacation.  Many Lateral Link Members also report having to work on weekends and holidays but say they can often do so from home.  Latham offers a part-time option that requires a minimum commitment of 70% of the 1,900 hour full-time requirement; part-time associates are eligible for partnership and will be considered for a prorated bonus.  The firm also offers an 18-week maternity/primary caregiver leave policy and a reduced hours option upon return from parental leave.