A Unique Perspective Inside Jones Day, a Major Global Law Firm

GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE INSIDE JONES DAY, A MAJOR GLOBAL LAW FIRM. BY JOURNALIST DAVID NICHOLSON. PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAIN CROCKART JONES DAY: THE FACTS

Jones Day ranks among the 10 largest law firms in the world. The London office is one of the largest in the Jones Day network, offering the breadth and depth of legal services you’d expect of a City firm servicing both national and international clients.

FIRM OVERVIEW

LAWYERS WORLDWIDE: LONDON LAWYERS: OFFICES: COUNTRIES: 2,400 200 32 16

MOSCOW LONDON BRUSSELS PARIS FRANKFURT MUNICH MILAN CHICAGO CLEVELAND COLUMBUS MADRID SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK BEIJING SILICON VALLEY PITTSBURGH WASHINGTON DC TOKYO LOS ANGELES IRVINE ATLANTA SAN DIEGO DALLAS HOUSTON SHANGHAI NEW DELHI DUBAI HONG KONG TAIPEI MEXICO CITY

SINGAPORE

SYDNEY

AREAS OF PRACTICE WORLDWIDE

• Antitrust & Competition Law • Corporate Law • Intellectual Property • Oil & Gas • Banking & Finance • Employee Benefits & Executive • International and Domestic • Private Equity • Business Restructuring & Compensation Litigation & Arbitration • Real Estate Reorganisation • Energy Delivery & Power • Issues & Appeals •Tax • Capital Markets • Environmental, Health & Safety • Labour & Employment • Trial Practice • Corporate Criminal • Government Regulation • Life Sciences Investigations • Health Care • Mergers & Acquisitions

SOME OF OUR KEY CLIENTS

• Alfa Group • Honda Motor Co • Omnicom Group • Viacom Inc • British Land Company PLC •IBM • The Proctor and Gamble •Wyeth • Citigroup Inc • JP Morgan Chase Company • XL Leisure • Dell Inc • King Pharmaceuticals • Royal Bank of Scotland • Yulon Group • Eastman Kodak • Liberty Media Group • Standard Bank PLC • Freescale Semiconductor •Macy’s • Time Warner Inc • General Motors • Nestle USA • URS Corporation WELCOME TO JONES DAY, A MAJOR GLOBAL LAW FIRM WITH A UNIQUE APPROACH TO TRAINING. WE INVITED JOURNALIST DAVID NICHOLSON TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH US. HIS BRIEF? TO CAPTURE THE ATMOSPHERE, THE TRAINING AND WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO WORK AT JONES DAY.

READ ON FROM PAGE 3

LEX 100 – A STUDENT GUIDE TO THE UK’S PREMIER LAW FIRMS LEX 100 WINNER IN FIVE CATEGORIES IN 2007 AND TWO CATEGORIES IN 2008 SIXTH PLACE IN ROLLONFRIDAY FIRM OF THE YEAR SURVEY 2008 JONES DAY WON: ‘BEST RECRUITER – MEDIUM CITY FIRM’ AT THE LAW CAREERS.NET TRAINING & RECRUITMENT AWARDS 2007 AND WAS NOMINATED AGAIN IN 2008 & 2009

CONTENTS

PART I Above: sculpture by WHAT’S THE CATCH? 8 PEOPLE NOT PROPERTY 14 THE TRAINEES’ 3 Margaret Wrightson, in Trainees address their initial concerns. A culture of mutual respect. PERSPECTIVE Temple Field – the heart First impressions of the firm and an of legal life in London TESTING THE WATER 9 GOING UP? 16 introduction to training at Jones Day. and a stone’s throw Placement schemes at Jones Day. from the Jones Day The transition from trainee to qualified lawyer. office. The sentiment KEY FACTS NO MUSICAL CHAIRS 4 – from Lamb’s essay PLACEMENT SCHEMES 9 KEY FACTS Trainees talk about what the ‘The Old Benchers of non-rotational system means to them. PRO BONO 16 Middle Temple’ (1823) PART II – is particularly apt for THE FIRM’S PERSPECTIVE 10 KEY FACTS Jones Day, who take MAKING THE GRADE 17 Russell Carmedy, partner in charge, TRAINING AT JONES DAY: 5 their work seriously What kind of person thrives at Jones Day? HOW IT’S DIFFERENT, but themselves less so. gives his overview of the firm in London. WHY IT’S DIFFERENT AT THE END OF THE DAY 18 THE WAY WE DO THINGS 13 AHEAD OF THE GAME 7 The atmosphere and hierarchy. PART III 20 More responsibility, faster development. KEY FACTS SOME POINTERS FOR CUTTING YOUR OWN CLOTH 7 SUPPORT AND 13 JONES DAY CANDIDATES Structuring your own time. DEVELOPMENT Top tips.

KEY FACTS MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS 14 KEY FACTS SALARIES AND BENEFITS 7 Commercial involvement from day one. APPLICATION PROCEDURE 21

PART I THE TRAINEES’ PERSPECTIVE

USED TO SHAREI A FLAT WITH A TRAINEE LAWYER WHEN I STARTED OUT AS A JOURNALIST. THE TROUBLE WAS, I NEVER SAW HIM. AND WHEN I DID, HE WAS SO EXHAUSTED AND FED UP WITH WORK THAT HE JUST WANTED... TO SLEEP

o I was curious to find out if Opposite: first year energised by the depth of their involvement of M&A work it handles, has one of life as a trainee at Jones Day was trainee Ben Bury walks in the firm’s activities and proud of the the largest litigation practices in the any different. Remembering my to work along the contribution they could make to its world, and boasts a market leading real flatmate, I also recalled that Thames – the peaceful business. In short, what I found was a estate practice. he had to spend two years river facade masks the very different cultural landscape to what hive of top-level activity So, for trainees, there is the dual advantage Srotating between different partners under a I was expecting. which is the ‘City’ . of having the intimate atmosphere of a ‘seat’ system. He seemed to experience Jones Day is located just off Fleet Street, mid-sized London office combined with varying degrees of success, but not much close to the River Thames, in plush modern the quality of work that comes from being responsibility. Par for the course in all offices surrounded by a wealth of eating, part of a big global firm. Working on London firms, right? shopping and transport options – it’s smaller matters gives trainees higher levels Not at Jones Day. Uniquely among major a buzzy, sophisticated part of the City. of responsibility, while the global dimension firms in London, trainees here don’t train In the London office, they have about and the larger domestic deals give under a ‘seat’ system at all but are given 200 lawyers, including around 50 partners the opportunity to get involved with an entirely different experience. They have between 30 and 40 trainees. But that’s only major transactions and the credibility that unusual freedom to prioritise the areas of law part of the story. Jones Day is one of the goes with them. they are most interested in and are given largest law firms in the world, with some The minute you walk through the doors large amounts of responsibility from day 2,400 lawyers in total across 32 locations. of the spacious lobby, you’re struck by one, along with their own office and The firm handles major cross-border the calm, friendly welcome of the place. a handsome salary. transactions as well as domestic work. People have time to say hello: this isn’t It doesn’t end there though. Unlike my It continually comes out top in various a production-line atmosphere. flatmate, the trainees I spoke to seemed international league tables for the volume

JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 3 NO MUSICAL CHAIRS he non-rotational training system is definitely a big plus point for trainees, allowing them to get the most out of their two years. Although it may not be Tfor everyone, if you think it could suit you, the opportunities are significant. In essence, the system means that you’re able to work with all partners and associates throughout the two year training and work concurrently on matters from different areas of law, whether it’s corporate law, real estate, litigation or finance – all from the comfort of your very own office. Building relationships with partners and associates is important, in order to develop your own Instead of spending a set amount of time on a for six months with a difficult partner portfolio of work. specific area of law and then moving onto the who gives you menial work, such as next (as with the ‘seat’ system), Jones Day’s photocopying, just to keep you busy and In that context, you are given plenty of non-rotational system means that you can expects you to stay late even when there’s scope to pursue your own interests and follow deals and cases through from not much to do.” the opportunity to explore areas of law beginning to end, getting an unusually large you may not have the chance to witness There is mutual respect at Jones Day. The amount of experience, contact with clients first-hand under a traditional ‘seat’ system. hours may sometimes be long – as with any and responsibility along the way. It avoids the lottery of the ‘seat’ system City firm – but trainees feel more valued where trainees might not get to experience Trainees I spoke to at Jones Day were all very and involved, since they are given greater an area of law that interests them positive about the experience. “I was responsibilities and client exposure. because there are not enough seats in that involved in a large litigation case,” says John Some firms don’t even give you a choice of department for everyone. Disson, a second year trainee “and I would the legal areas that you are allocated, or the have found it incredibly frustrating if I’d had You’re given mentors and a training order you do them. “I have a friend at another to leave it mid-way through.” supervisor who will make sure you’re on firm who wanted to do a seat in real estate, but track to gain enough experience in each He described how problematic some of his she was given litigation, then three corporate field. Beyond this, there is a rare amount of friends have found the traditional seat seats. I’d be mightily cross if that was me,” freedom to prioritise your workload. system in other firms. “You may be stuck says second year trainee, Alice Kershaw.

4 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AT JONES DAY: HOW IT’S DIFFERENT, WHY IT’S DIFFERENT.

Jones Day operates a different training system to most City firms. Understanding how it works and why the firm doesn’t just follow the crowd is key to understanding whether it’s a system that’s for you.

HOW? TRADITIONAL ROTATIONAL SYSTEM TRAINING IS DIVIDED INTO PERIODS OF FOUR OR SIX MONTHS, WORKING EXCLUSIVELY FOR ONE DEPARTMENT AT A TIME, THEN MOVING ON. YOU “BELONG” TO ONE PARTNER OR TEAM AND SIT IN AN OFFICE WITH A PARTNER OR ASSOCIATE.

JONES DAY’S NON-ROTATIONAL SYSTEM YOU CAN DO WORK FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT YOUR TWO YEARS OF TRAINING. YOU HAVE YOUR OWN OFFICE AND CAN WORK WITH ANY PARTNER OR TEAM IN ALL AREAS.

WHY?

1 You can be involved in deals and cases from 6 You can pick up different skills and techniques beginning to end. from lots of partners and associates and develop your own style of working. 2 It removes the lottery of seat allocation and gives you the opportunity to experience a wider 7 Greater client contact is possible as you’re range of practice areas. available to work for the same clients throughout the two years. 3 You can assist with all aspects of a transaction and get a more rounded training, e.g. you can 8 You don’t have to do six months intensive training work on both the purchase and financing sides in an area that you’ve decided is not for you. of the same real estate deal. 9 It produces a smoother learning curve over 4 People work better in their own space. the two years. 5 You get to know more people within the firm 10 There is a seamless transition through and find those with whom you work best. qualification. “I’M OFTEN NEGOTIATING DIRECT WITH QUALIFIED LAWYERS ON THE OTHER SIDE. I ENJOY BEING ON THE FRONT LINE.” ALICE TRAINEE AHEAD OF THE GAME Above: Many male Mark admits that the risk of feeling trainees wear open isolated and lonely in this system had SALARIES AND ’m often negotiating direct with necked shirts around occurred to him before he accepted an offer qualified lawyers on the other side. BENEFITS the office but keep a to train here, but says that the practical I enjoy being on the front line” says jacket and tie hung on experience hasn’t been like that. “You’re in an The rewards reflect the importance Alice. “And their trainees are usually their doors, in case they office with around 300 people and building attached to the role of trainees in working on less challenging work. need to make a quick up working relationships,” he says. “If you contributing to the business. IIt’s very motivating here.” change and f ly off to a client meeting. weren’t willing to go out and meet people, it “I’m regularly asked to present advice may not work, but the recruitment partners I’ve discussed with a partner directly to a choose outgoing, confident people.” STARTING SALARY: £39,000 Salaries rise at six monthly intervals client,” says Tony Whall, a first year trainee “I think most of my friends are envious that throughout the training contract: “and as you get to know the client they will I have my own office.” says Ben Bury, a first ask for your advice, regardless of whether year trainee. Having your own space adds to 6–12 MONTHS: you’re a trainee, because they’ve met you the sense of regulating your own workload £41,000 and they know they can trust you.” Being – you can make more choices about the 12–18 MONTHS: £45,000 directly involved in important issues adds rhythm of each day, being able to spend 18–24 MONTHS: to the sense of job satisfaction reported by some quieter time in between more intense £50,000 Jones Day trainees. periods without feeling you’re going to get NEWLY QUALIFIED: £70,000 This attitude shines through each Jones chastised for slacking. Day employee I’ve spoken to. They clearly I ask Ben whether the system allows some BENEFITS take pride in their work and enjoy people to get away with putting in less effort The current benefits package providing a very high level of service to than others. “That happens… but rarely,” he includes five weeks holiday a year, clients, feeling themselves highly valued adds. “Trainees usually come here to get on private healthcare, subsidised gym as a result. There’s also an impressive level with their careers, not because they’ve membership, season ticket loan of maturity even in trainees who have misunderstood the place to be a holiday camp.” and life cover. recently joined the firm. They are clearly ‘can-do’ people who want the best not The concept of ‘face time’ can be important SPONSORSHIP just for the firm and its clients but also for under the ‘seat’ system,” says Ben. “The All future trainees are sponsored themselves. And there’s a sense that they perception elsewhere is that you need to through the Graduate Diploma in Law know how to go about getting it. be seen to be working late whether you’re (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course being productive or not. Here, I have to (LPC). Jones Day will pay all your fees impress through the quality of the work through the GDL and the LPC plus a CUTTING YOUR OWN CLOTH I’ve done and the contribution I’ve made, maintenance grant of £8,000 a year. rainees can structure the use and I’m trusted with my own hours. So of their own time,” says Mark when I’m satisfied I’ve done my bit for Dunkley, a second year trainee. the day, I head off.” “You can be working on a big I can’t help but notice, though, that Ben corporate deal, which can be has several take-away menus stuck to his Tquite intensive, then you can focus on pin board, suggesting that it can sometimes something different for a change – you can take a good few hours for him to feel like regulate your own time and workload.” he’s done his bit.

JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 7 WHAT’S THE CATCH? don’t have to compete more fundamentally for associate jobs, as some trainees at other iving recent graduates firms have to do – almost all trainees in such responsibility and recent years have been offered jobs at encouraging them to Jones Day. arrange their own work “I WAS WORKING ON A could, I imagine, build up an No one here seems to think the traditional Goverly competitive atmosphere between the LITIGATION CASE AND ‘seat’ system is a broken model, or wants to trainees as they look for the juiciest pieces of I’D HAVE FOUND IT change the way the legal world operates. work. Some competition does exist, The firm simply runs a system it is according to first year trainee Amy Reuben. INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING confident brings the best out of its trainees “If someone is looking for assistance, you - and benefits its business most. And they have to react quickly. And you can TO LEAVE IT MID WAY should know, having been using the system sometimes think that others are doing more THROUGH. for more than 20 years. interesting work than you, but I’ve found that senior fee earners are pretty fair, they’ll Jones Day recruitment partners frequently say “next time it’s you”. In my experience, THE NON-ROTATIONAL pointed out to me, though, that the they stay true to their word.” system is not right for everyone. As well TRAINING SYSTEM AT as being intelligent, trainees here have to A second year trainee says, “There are a be proactive and prepared to take on lot of ambitious and very good lawyers JONES DAY MEANT THAT responsibility. You also have to be self here, but in terms of aggressive competition, aware and confident enough to knock on a that’s not the experience I’ve had. In fact I THIS DIDN’T HAPPEN.” partner’s door and ask questions if you think it would be stamped out; it wouldn’t JOHN aren’t sure about what you should be doing. get results.” TRAINEE I get the impression it takes a certain However, whilst there may be some amount of resourcefulness and nerve to do competition for the best work, trainees well here.

8 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES TESTING THE WATER PLACEMENT SCHEMES any of the firm’s current trainees spent two weeks on one of the firm’s The placement scheme will show you what it’s like to be placement schemes which a trainee at Jones Day and how the training system works. run during the Winter, MSpring and Summer holidays each year. You’ll be given real work and not just a diet of seminars, visits, presentations and group exercises. You’ll receive work from trainees, associates and “It’s a great way to get to know the firm, and partners and you’ll be encouraged to introduce yourself to lawyers in the firm the way they train people,” says Tony, a first with a view to experiencing particular kinds of work that you think year trainee who joined the firm after a spell you might enjoy. as a placement student. You’ll also meet trainees, associates and partners at a range of social events. SALARY: £400 PER WEEK

SCHEMES FOR NON-LAW STUDENTS “WE WANT Winter placement scheme Open to final year students or graduates of a non-law degree. STUDENTS TO Apply between 1 August and 31 October. GET A TASTE OF Spring placement scheme HOW WE OPERATE Open to penultimate and final year students or graduates of a non-law degree. Apply between 1 November and 31 January. IN PRACTICE. IT’S A SORT OF SCHEMES FOR LAW STUDENTS Summer placement scheme MINI-TRAINING Open to penultimate or second year law students. CONTRACT.” Apply between 1 November and 31 January. JACQUI Please note that offers for placement schemes are made on an ongoing basis throughout the application period. GRADUATE RECRUITMENT We may, therefore, complete our recruitment for all positions before the application deadlines. MANAGER

NOMINATED FOR BEST PLACEMENT SCHEME IN THE LAWCAREERS.NET/ TRAINEE SOLICITORS’ GROUP TRAINING AND Jacqui Megson, Graduate Recruitment RECRUITMENT AWARDS 2006 AND 2007 Manager, goes on to explain that the placement schemes involve the students engaging in active work. “We want students to get a taste of how we operate in practice,” she says. “That means asking them to roll up their sleeves and work for a number of departments at the same time whilst they’re with us. It’s a sort of mini-training contract. We don’t just give placement students seminars and workshops.” Placement students also get introduced to the social side of the firm through drinks and dinners with trainees, associates and partners. There are also chances to join in the firm’s client sporting events during the Summer. I get the sense that this is a firm confident enough to show its prospective trainees what is really in store for them if they end up joining. The fact that so many trainees did a placement scheme with the firm is convincing testimony that the schemes are a good way to make an informed decision about life as a trainee at Jones Day.

JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 9 PART II THE FIRM’S PERSPECTIVE

artner in charge of Jones Day, Gouldens) has boosted the office’s profile. London, Russell Carmedy is a “We’re in a growth phase that reflects the veteran of 24 years at the firm. importance of London, as a centre for legal He was amongst the first to services, to a truly global practice,” says train under the non-rotational Russell. For trainees, in turn, this means an Psystem and certainly seems to have done even greater chance of getting involved in well out of it. He has an eye for the big major international deals at an early stage, picture, as you can imagine when the firm compared with the very large firms. is spread from New York to Shanghai, but “We’re not a factory,” says Russell. “We’re likes to get to the point. looking for versatile, able lawyers to deal He explains how the merger in 2003 (when with a great range of work involving it merged with established City firm, Europe, the States and Asia.”

10 JONES DAY GRADUATE RECRUITMENT 2006 “WE’RE NOT A FACTORY” RUSSELL PARTNER IN CHARGE Left: Work/ life balance is an important goal at Jones Day – family photos and drawings by his children sit alongside legal documents and certificates in David’s office.

“AROUND HALF THE PARTNERS CAME UP THROUGH THE NON-ROTATIONAL SYSTEM” DAVID PARTNER

12 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES THE WAY WE DO THINGS for social events or sports fixtures such as in place to ensure that all trainees receive cricket and softball matches against clients. the formal training that they require. avid Smith, partner in charge Around half the partners came up through of recruitment, explains how A friendly camaraderie runs through the all fee-earners operate an ‘open whole firm, with an annual Christmas the non-rotational system.” door’ policy, so that anyone pantomime written and performed by From the firm’s point of view, because needing support can come to trainees and a whole range of extra- the system turns out more confident, seeD them whenever they need to, and curricular activities, adding to the sense experienced lawyers who have had more producing a collegial atmosphere throughout that the firm’s culture revolves around client contact than their peers, they can the firm. And his door was indeed open much more than case-work. People are more quickly become effective fee-earners when I arrived. more productive if they are happy and themselves. They are also encouraged to well rewarded. Across Jones Day, in fact, there is a be more entrepreneurial in their approach remarkable lack of official hierarchy. Partners, David adds, “The informal atmosphere is to dealing with clients, getting involved associates and trainees are on first name vital to getting the most out of our system in marketing the firm’s services and terms, and often get together after work but we also have well-established processes building new business.

Left: A lunch seminar for second year trainees, regular events which are SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT both educational and social – a chance for Whilst there is a strong emphasis on early responsibility, peers to catch up. the need for you to have a thorough grounding in the main subject areas and basic skills is taken very seriously. Your progress will be monitored and you will have all the support you need.

MENTORING You’ll be assigned two mentors (a partner and a trainee) to provide support and answer any questions you may have.

SEMINARS AND COURSES You’ll attend six seminars each month. These are delivered by senior lawyers from the different practice areas. You must also complete the Professional Skills Course ( PSC).

FEEDBACK Learning by actually doing the work is the best form of training. All lawyers are encouraged to provide on-the-job training and feedback to the trainees they work with.

MONITORING TRAINING RECORDS The firm has checklists that you must complete in each principal practice area to meet the Law Society’s requirements. You will review your checklists quarterly with the Training and Development manager to ensure that you’re progressing properly and to identify priorities for the next quarter.

GROUP REVIEWS Group review sessions are held once a month to give you an opportunity to discuss your workload and any administrative or other issues.

FORMAL APPRAISALS You will also have three formal appraisals during your two year training contract, to give you the opportunity to review the progress you have made and set objectives for the following months. These will take place in approximately month 6, month 12 and month 18 of your training contract.

JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 13 MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS s recruitment partner James Goold remarks, “When I joined the firm as a trainee I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a lawyer in the longer term. AI suspected I’d turn to running my own business after a few years. But then I found that I was running my own business, taking responsibility for transactions, “TRAINEES developing new business and so on. So AREN’T CHATTELS. when I reviewed the position, I found that IF YOU TREAT my career ambitions were on offer here.” THEM BADLY, James had initially been put off a career in the law, having seen an array of young THEY’LL AVOID YOU lawyers in several firms who looked WHEN YOU NEXT depressingly unhappy with their lot. The opportunities at Gouldens (which became TRY TO GIVE Jones Day in 2003), convinced him to THEM WORK.” change his mind though. “I liked the prospect of doing a real job and building a JOHN real career from day one, rather than being PARTNER a glorified photocopy assistant,” he says. James himself, as a partner specialising in private equity, has plenty of work to hand out to his colleagues, both associates and trainees. One large (€400 million) M&A deal he’s working on is taking up the time of 45 lawyers in a number of jurisdictions, while six other transactions are currently on the boil, each employing further staff. PEOPLE NOT PROPERTY The day we met, he had put out an ‘all ohn Phillips, a partner specialising in person broadcast’ email, inviting people to corporate work (as well as being a put themselves forward for a piece of work. recruitment partner) stresses how He had 12 replies, so naturally some will important it is to treat trainees well. be disappointed, but he feels there’s always “They’re not chattels,” he says. “If enough good work to go around. J you want to encourage trainees to do good work, you have to treat them well, and like the adults they are. If you treat them badly, they’ll avoid you when you next try to give them work. People here are respectful to one another, whether partner, trainee or support staff.” While trainees have to promote themselves to a department if they want to join it on qualification, the same works in reverse, with departments making the effort to market themselves to trainees. Also, under a rotational ‘seat’ system, it could be far harder for trainees to end up in Top right: James Goold, their chosen department: the earlier you do off guard. a seat, the less you’re likely to get out of it Middle right: John and the less well you’re likely to perform; Phillips, one of the more whereas at Jones Day, you can continue senior partners, retains a your involvement with a practice area heavy involvement with recruitment, highlighting throughout the two years of training. the importance the firm The simple fact of numbers is one attaches to finding the advantage. Here, you are one of 15 to 20 right people. trainees per year (the number varies as there Bottom right: respect is no fixed “quota”), certain to get to know across all levels inspires all the others quite well, and to develop loyalty. Katherine strong business ties with many of the White, bottom right, personal assistant in the partners. In a larger firm where there may corporate department be an intake of 80 or 100, you might not has been with the firm even speak to some of the other trainees, for over 19 years. never mind the hundreds of partners.

14 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES “I WASN’T SURE I WANTED TO BE A LAWYER, I SUSPECTED I’D TURN TO RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS. BUT THEN I FOUND THAT I WAS RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS” JAMES PARTNER GOING UP? After qualification, the firm continues to PRO BONO trust its associates with a high level of s a trainee I knew quite early on responsibility. Partners are open to fresh that I wanted to qualify into Jones Day strongly encourages ideas and will help qualified lawyers to the corporate department and all of its professionals to participate target new opportunities that interest them once I was confident that I’d be in pro bono and other public or work on new areas or aspects of law. accepted into that department, services activities. IA did mostly corporate work for my final six “I qualified into the property department months,” says a senior corporate associate. but maintained a niche practice providing WATERLOO LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE “By the time I qualified I’d done a lot more data protection advice,” Dominic Hornblow In London, the firm has supported corporate transactional work than I would tells me. “In the end, it became such a the Waterloo Legal Advice Centre, have been able to do in a four or six month significant part of my workload I transferred a voluntary organisation, for over seat. I simply continued with my deals after to the IP department.” 20 years. qualification.” Associates are encouraged to develop Trainees can learn a lot about client At Jones Day, you have all the skills necessary client contacts and arrange and attend and case management at the Centre. for life as a newly qualified lawyer even before marketing events. “There are some clients Almost all areas of law are dealt with, you finish your training contract and there that I’ve been working with for years and from personal injury and landlord and isn’t a discernable jump in responsibility on it’s good to be able to get to know a bit tenant work to matrimonial and qualification. By all accounts, there isn’t the more about them and to chat to them immigration matters. stress or the sense of foreboding that you about things other than work,” says a might experience at other firms. competition associate.

16 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES “WHAT STRUCK ME WAS HOW MOTIVATED AND DRIVEN THEY ALL WERE.” SUZANNE PARTNER

MAKING THE GRADE Above: Suzanne Davis, Several recruitment partners emphasise who is Of Counsel in the that the ability to gain quick rapport is an hile there’s no ‘typical’ real estate department, important quality. It marks you out as Jones Day person, wants trainees she can someone who will be able to work well individuals I met do put in front of clients. with colleagues and clients at all levels. “We share a few obvious Right: Sion Richards, have people come in who are incredibly characteristics. Suzanne a BRR partner intelligent, but we also have to ask: would I WDavis, one of the partners to have trained I interviewed… put them in front of a client?” says Suzanne. elsewhere, was surprised by the quality of cautiously. the trainees when she first arrived. “What “We’re looking for robust, well-rounded struck me most was how motivated and characters here,” says Sion Richards, driven they all were. Much more so than Business Restructuring and Reorganisation in my previous experience.” (BRR) partner. “They’ll get a lot of client contact.” Colleagues joke that Sion is We talk about the hardest questions that drafted in when an injunction has to be candidates might be asked and Suzanne served, as he goes to boxing sessions. “We reveals that she sometimes asks what they need people with good judgement,” he says. would do if a client asked them to destroy some documents. “It’s not only a question He wants to see people who’ve really of coming up with a right answer, it’s more thought about why they want to be a lawyer, how you talk through the issue. We’re and filter out those who aren’t really sure interested in getting to grips with how your they want to do it. “It’s not always easy,” he mind thinks through and around issues. says. “You need to be resourceful, motivated The law is rarely black and white,” she says. and have a mature attitude.”

JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES 17 AT THE END OF THE DAY Trainees watch though. There are sports teams playing England draw with regular fixtures, particularly during the eople here genuinely enjoy Sweden in the World Summer when the firm challenges clients working together,” says David Cup. Participation to cricket and softball matches. There are Smith. “It is a real priority to in social events is also weekly events organised during the encourage people to get to know doubtlessly encouraged placement schemes. each other.” by the fact that bar P tabs tend to be picked The highlight of the year for most Within their first week the new trainees up by partners. people though is the pantomime. This is are introduced to the firm with informal Remarkably, partners written and performed by the trainees drinks and a dinner. Shortly after this, I’m still seem keen to before the Christmas party. The script told, they are whisked off to the States to socialise. is loosely derived from a traditional tale meet the new starters from other offices but with characters based on people at around the world.This social effort is not the firm: fortunately most of the partners just a one-off for the incoming trainees have very thick skins.

PART III SOME POINTERS FOR JONES DAY CANDIDATES

It goes without saying that the firm is looking for bright people. You 1 will need to be predicted (or have achieved) at least a 2.1 in your honours degree (which needn’t be law). Almost as important as academic credentials is your attitude. 2 Initiative, confidence, commercial savvy and the ability to cope with a lot of balls in the air at any one time are key attributes for trainees at Jones Day. Think about the type of firm you want to be a part of. At Jones Day 3 London, you get the quality of work you’d expect from one of the world’s largest law firms but the friendliness of a medium sized office. Be prepared for big responsibility from day one. It’s a big challenge but 4 one that can bring great rewards for the right person. Keep your CV and covering letter simple and to the point. Let the facts 5 speak for themselves.

IT’S A BIG CHALLENGE BUT ONE THAT CAN BRING GREAT REWARDS FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.

20 JONES DAY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION PROCEDURE

We don’t use a standard application form because we’re not looking for standard applicants.

HOW TO APPLY GO TO: WWW.JONESDAYLONDON.COM

1. REGISTRATION To apply for a placement scheme or training contract please log in and register your details.

2. CV You’ll then be asked to attach your CV electronically, in either Word or PDF format.

3. COVERING LETTER You’ll also be asked to attach a covering letter, which should be addressed to Jacqui Megson, Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Manager. Please ensure that we will be able to open your attachments – send recognisable file formats with correct suffixes.

Alternatively, you can send your CV and covering letter to 21 Tudor Street, London EC4Y 0DJ marked for the attention of Jacqui Megson, Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Manager

WHEN TO APPLY

We have now completed our recruitment of trainees for September 2011 and March 2012.

TRAINING CONTRACTS COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER 2012 OR MARCH 2013 If you wish to apply for training contracts commencing in September 2012 or March 2013, we will be accepting applications from final year law and non-law students from 1 November 2009.

PENULTIMATE YEAR LAW STUDENTS Please apply between your penultimate and final year of study from June 2010 onwards.

FINAL DEADLINE The final deadline for training contract applications is 31 July 2010. However, to ensure an early interview date, we would encourage candidates to apply early.

PLEASE NOTE Offers for training contracts and placement schemes are made on an ongoing basis throughout the application period. We may, therefore, complete our recruitment for all positions before the application deadlines. David Nicholson is a freelance journalist who has written for publications including The Observer, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and GQ.

Jones Day 21 Tudor Street, London EC4Y 0DJ United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 7039 5959 F: +44 (0)20 7039 5999