Best known as a lawyer, politician and judge, John Latham first studied arts at the University of Melbourne (BA 1896) and began work as a schoolteacher. Supporting himself as a college tutor in philosophy, he returned to university and graduated in law. He won the Supreme Court prize and was joint secretary of the Law Students' Society. Flos Greig was among his friends.
While gradually building a highly successful practice as a barrister, Latham was part-time lecturer in contract at the Law School. Later, he kept a close connection with the Law School as external member of the Faculty, member of the University Council, and Chancellor.
Latham was increasingly involved in politics and international affairs. During World War I, he campaigned for the introduction of conscription. He became head of naval intelligence, and went to London for the imperial conference of 1918 and to Paris for the peace conference of 1919. On questions of international and constitutional law he kept closely in touch with Harrison Moore.
His interest in politics and government affairs led him to turn down an offer of a judgeship of the Supreme Court, and he was elected to the Australian parliament in 1922. As Attorney-General (1925-9), he introduced new anti-sedition laws and toughened arbitration laws against trade unions.
Latham became leader of the opposition after Prime Minister Stanley Bruce lost both the election and his own seat in parliament in 1929. But Latham voluntarily left the leadership for former Labor Treasurer Joseph Lyons when the new United Australia Party was formed in 1931, during the political crises of the Depression. When the UAP won government, Latham became Attorney-General, deputy Prime Minister and a close colleague of Prime Minister Lyons.
Latham left politics in 1934, possibly with appointment to the High Court already in mind. Robert Menzies took over from him as member for Kooyong and Attorney-General. Latham became Chief Justice in 1935. He maintained the High Court's smooth working despite the antagonism some of the judges felt towards each other, but was in the minority in some of the key decisions of the period.
He took leave from the Court in 1940-1 to serve as a diplomat, as Australia's first minister to Japan. In 1952 he retired as Chief Justice. In retirement, as an old man, he returned to the University, reading in the law library and joining in discussions with the students.
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