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Shawna, Lawyer/Associate at Latham & Watkins: Advize Career Interview
A Latham & Watkins associate's journey began with high school mock trial and a college internship at a bankruptcy firm, leading to UCLA Law School and a current role focusing on environmental law.
Daily work involves research and summarization for senior colleagues, demanding meticulous attention to detail.
While the long hours present a challenge, the constant variety and unique learning opportunities are highly rewarding, especially the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world.
The work involves grappling with unanswered legal questions, a skill developed through experience and highlighting the need for curiosity and continuous learning.
Undergraduate students interested in this field should seek internships, even if initial tasks are basic; observing practicing attorneys provides invaluable insight.
Ultimately, a career in law offers exciting challenges and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shawna Strecker
Lawyer/Associate
Latham & Watkins
University of California Los Angeles, 2018
UCLA School of Law; Juris Doctorate
History, Art History
Law
Legal
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Career Path of a Lawyer at Latham & Watkins
Shawna's passion for law began with high school and continued through four years on the college mock trial team, culminating in an undergraduate internship at a bankruptcy law firm. This experience, along with a post-undergraduate LSAT preparation and law school at UCLA, led to their current position at Latham & Watkins after applying for "different legal jobs".
Main Responsibilities of an Associate Lawyer at Latham & Watkins
As a first-year associate, Shawna's responsibilities primarily involve supporting senior associates with "small and discreet tasks," such as research projects, particularly in environmental law where "reading giant pieces of legislation, summarizing it so the partners can sound smart in front of the clients" is a key function. This early-career role allows for exploration of diverse projects while contributing to the firm's work.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate At Latham And Watkins
As a first-year associate, Shawna's daily tasks involve "researching and then summarizing" findings for senior colleagues, highlighting the dynamic nature of the role where each day presents "a completely different project". This variety is a key aspect of Shawna's early career experience at Latham & Watkins.
Most Important Skills For An Associate At Latham And Watkins
For a junior associate at Latham & Watkins, meticulous "attention to detail" is paramount, ensuring accuracy in legal work and preventing minor errors—like typos—"from distract[ing] from the hard work." This skill is crucial for providing senior colleagues with reliable information.
Favorite Parts of Being a Lawyer at Latham and Watkins
Shawna, a lawyer at Latham & Watkins, appreciates the daily variety inherent in her role, stating that "each day looks different" and each task presents "a very challenging and unique" learning opportunity. This constant exposure to new challenges, while demanding, is a key source of excitement in Shawna's legal career.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Associate at Latham and Watkins
Shawna's biggest challenge as a junior associate at Latham & Watkins is the expectation of 24/7 availability, a demand that makes achieving work-life balance difficult, as "the hours can be a little tough." Despite the firm's respect for personal time, the reality of immediate responses to emails and urgent matters makes maintaining a healthy equilibrium a continuous process.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Environmental Law Industry As A Lawyer
Shawna, a lawyer specializing in environmental law, finds fulfillment in the industry because it aligns with their passions for law, reading, writing, and environmental protection; the work allows them to "make a hopefully positive impact on the world."
Who Thrives In Big Law According To A Latham And Watkins Associate
To thrive in the legal field, especially at larger firms, dedication to assigned work and continuous legal learning is crucial. A successful lawyer must be "very curious" about legal developments, proactively reading news and legislation to adapt to the "constantly changing" industry landscape.
What an Associate at Latham and Watkins Wishes They Knew Before Entering the Legal Industry
Shawna, a lawyer at Latham & Watkins, learned that a significant aspect of legal practice involves grappling with unanswered questions and unsettled law, a contrast to the more defined legal principles encountered in law school. This realization, initially frustrating, evolved into an acceptance that sometimes "the answer is who knows? This is our best guess," backed by thorough research.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Lawyers At Latham And Watkins
Shawna, a lawyer at Latham & Watkins, advises that undergraduate entry-level positions in law are limited, with internships often involving tasks like "making copies, filing, uh, pieces of paper," rather than true legal work. However, the experience of interacting with practicing attorneys and observing "their everyday work" proves invaluable for gaining insight into the field.
Significant Career Lesson from a Lawyer at Latham and Watkins
Shawna, a lawyer at Latham & Watkins, learned that "there's not always an answer to every legal question," a realization which, rather than hindering progress, became an opportunity to embrace creativity in legal interpretation and presentation. This approach transformed potential obstacles into "exciting challenges."
College Experiences That Helped an Associate at Latham And Watkins Succeed
Shawna's undergraduate success stemmed from four years in mock trial, providing "exposure to the legal way of thinking," and a law firm internship. The insightful advice offered is to also sit in on law school classes to truly gauge compatibility with both the academic and professional aspects of a legal career, because "law school is quite a different experience than being an actual lawyer."
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