Interview with Karen Xiong: Associate at Latham and Watkins

Hi Karen, how did your legal journey begin, and why did you decide to pursue law?

Karen studied Law at the University of Cambridge, where firm presentations introduced her to the possibility of a legal career. She trained at Linklaters and qualified as a solicitor in March 2019. She was drawn to law because of the appeal of an international career. She enjoys teamwork on multi-jurisdictional transactions and worked in Linklaters' Hong Kong office.

Did studying the LLB prepare you more for a legal career than a non-law degree?

Karen believes the answer is both yes and no. Studying law helped her develop analytical thinking and strong written communication early. However, she emphasises that studying law and practising law are very different. She does not think non-law students are at any disadvantage, as most junior lawyer skills are developed on the job.

Having trained at Linklaters, why did you move to Latham, and how do the firms differ?

Karen enjoyed her time at Linklaters and found it difficult to leave. After working remotely for 18 months during the pandemic, she wanted a change. US firms dominate the leveraged finance market, and she had frequently worked opposite Latham. She was curious to see how it compared to a UK firm.

She notes that day-to-day life at both firms is surprisingly similar. Both offer high-calibre work and friendly teams. Latham has a larger high-yield practice, so she works on more bond deals and collaborates more often with US offices.

What was the most difficult part of your seats during your training contract?

Rotating seats was challenging. Karen often felt comfortable with the work when it was time to move. However, she enjoyed getting to know different departments and meeting new teams every six months.

What was your highlight of working as an associate at Linklaters?

Karen's highlight was the people. She notes that work is similar across top banking firms, but mentorship and team culture make the difference. She learned a great deal from senior colleagues and valued the strong junior team. She also enjoyed seeing trainees she worked with qualify into the banking practice.

How did you find settling into a new role during the pandemic?

Karen joined Latham when the firm was still fully remote. People were welcoming, and she spoke regularly with deal teams over the phone. Many people joined during the pandemic, so she was not alone. The firm now encourages time in the office, with regular social events and mentoring initiatives that make it easy to meet colleagues.

What advice would you give to aspiring solicitors seeking training contracts?

Karen advises students to gain as much work experience as possible and speak to many people. This helps with interview questions such as why law and also helps students decide whether law is the right path.

Where do you hope to be in five or ten years?

Karen hopes to keep enjoying her job and to own a dog.