Jones Day is a true US heavyweight, with its sizeable glove taking jabs at most major areas of law. Armed with 2,500 lawyers and 37 offices across five continents, Jones Day is one of the largest law firms in the world and amongst the highest-grossing in the US.

Founded in 1893, by Judge Edwin Blandin and William Lowe Rice, Jones Day made its name by representing Midwestern manufacturers and transportation companies from its Cleveland base. It was one of the first firms to adopt a corporate management structure, and the 100+ years since have brought steady growth, a slew of domestic and international offices, and acclaim. The firm’s involvement in numerous high-profile political scraps helped cement its reputation, and in one example of its eminence, the firm represented US automaker Chrysler in its massive bankruptcy case.

In the UK, Jones Day burst onto the London legal scene in 1986, courtesy of a merger with Surrey & Morse. In 2003, the firm dramatically expanded its London presence through a merger with mid-tier City firm Gouldens. The firm’s London lawyers, of whom 98% are UK qualified, boast a globally recognised M&A practice. The firm also specialises in capital markets, private equity, banking and finance, business restructuring, investment funds, litigation, intellectual property, tax and real estate.

In real estate, where the old Gouldens was always a leader, the firm still acts for what was once that firm’s largest client, Pillar Properties (now part of British Land). The firm's private equity practice has won work from a number of major players, including Morgan Stanley, WL Ross & Co – one of the most profitable restructuring focussed PE houses in the US – and Riverside, the most active private equity house in the US.

Jones Day’s European network includes more than 400 lawyers working in Brussels, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich and Paris. The firm opened an office in Dubai in March 2009, serving clients on energy, finance, arbitration and M&A matters. Jones Day established associate offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar in 2011 in association with Alsulaim Alawaji & Partners Law Firm, a Saudi practice established in 1990. Additionally, the firm opened a Boston office in 2011 and a brand new Dusseldorf office in February 2012.

With China’s economy growing at a record pace, many global law firms are vying for a multiple presence in China – and Jones Day is no exception. The firm possesses one of the largest Asian practices of any full-service international firm, with more than 200 lawyers and offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo.

Jones Day has a bigger commitment to pro bono than most of its English counterparts, with at least one pro bono coordinating partner in each office. All Jones Day lawyers worldwide, regardless of level, are encouraged to get involved and live up to the exemplary work of the US practice. While there are no targets for pro bono work, time spent on such matters counts towards billable hours. In London, the firm has represented non-profit organisations and charities, worked on complex litigation matters and provided support to the Waterloo Legal Advice Centre for decades. The firm acts for the Royal Academy of the Arts and holds fundraising events throughout the year for its chosen charity.

Practice numerical tests and verbal tests used by actual employers.

Top US firms normally take their pick of the academic elite; however, Jones Day sees past the CV – its primary focus is on finding capable trainees with character and personality, who can also hold their own when faced with clients. Due to the nature of the training contract at Jones Day, trainees need ‘to take initiative and approach lawyers for work’; therefore ‘being personable is the most important attribute’ according to current trainees. ‘Candidates with a strong work ethic, good attention to detail and a large amount of self-motivation’ will do well. That said, a solid academic record is still important – ‘a 2:1 at degree level is the norm, though many have first class degrees’.

Jones Day’s training programme sets it apart from the Magic Circle and its US rivals. The firm’s unique, non-rotational seat system allows trainees to gain experience simultaneously in many different practice areas. Trainees are not assigned to one specific partner or department, but instead must seek out assignments on their own. This means that trainees get to choose to ‘take work from as many, or as few, departments as [they] wish’, providing they gain some experience in a minimum of three areas. The flexibility of this approach enables trainees ‘to try every department and hence make an informed decision as to where [they] should qualify’. For those interested, there is the possibility to go on secondment to the firm’s Dubai office.

The firm’s annual intake is made up of 15 trainees – a selling point to many as it allows for plenty of responsibility and the chance to shine. As one trainee states, ‘it is great to be part of a medium-sized firm as it enables you to know people across the different departments... which means you get to know each other and make solid friendships’. The firm is also keen to keep all of its trainees, with a retention rate of 100% for 2012.

To apply, you will need complete the firm’s online application form and attach your covering letter. If you’re successful you will be invited to interview. There are two rounds, both with two partners, and you need to impress in the first interview to make it to the second. While there’s no assessment day or tests, the interviews tend to be quite lengthy. The partners do not rely on a set of predetermined questions; instead they try to establish a relaxed, in-depth conversation about a topic of mutual interest. It’s important you ‘research the non-rotational training system’ beforehand, and one trainee advises that ‘the best way to prepare is to just be yourself, and understand what your best qualities and skills are’.

Vacation Schemes

Jones Day certainly makes sure that work placement students feel comfortable at the firm – you’ll be given your own email address and will either have your own office or will share one with another student on the scheme. As with the training contract, you get to choose which departments you receive work from and can try as many as you like – giving you an excellent ‘opportunity to experience the non-rotational system’ first hand. Throughout the scheme, two mentors will ensure you get the support you need.

Completing a work placement scheme will significantly boost your chances of getting that coveted training contract; 90% of current Jones Day trainees did so. You’ll have an interview at the end of the scheme for one. Non-law students can apply to spring and winter placements, both of which offer 15 places. With 30 posts to fill, summer schemes are designed for law students in their penultimate or final year.

Jones Day recruits on a rolling basis so places on its schemes and for training contracts may fill before application deadlines close and before individual applications are concluded. So don't wait until the final deadlines to apply: the early bird really does catch the worm!

Jones Day Graduate Recruitment Info

Contact:
Diana Spoudeas
Manager – Trainee Recruitment and Development
Tel: +44 (0)20 7039 5959
Email: recruit.london@jonesday.com
www.jonesdaylondon.com

Application Deadlines:
Placement Applications open 1st September 2012 and close on:
Winter - 31st October 2012
Spring - 31st December 2012
Summer - 31st January 2013
Training Contract Applications will open on 1st June 2013 (if there are vacancies remaining) and close on 31st July 2013.
If you are interested in training at Jones Day, apply for a placement scheme first. We recruit on a rolling basis and mostly from our pool of placement candidates.

Apply Now

Stats

No. of lawyers firm-wide: 2,500
No. of lawyers in London: 170
London partners: 50
London associates: 100
London of Counsel: 15
London trainee intake: 15
London trainees retained: 100% (2012)

JONES DAY: 2013 LAW RANKINGS

# 18 Most Reputable Law Firm (6.47/10)

# 8 in Career Prospects for Solicitors (6.88/10)
# 8 in Partner & Solicitor Relations (7.78/10)
# 9 in Salary (7.87/10)
# 9 in Pro Bono (6.88/10)
# 13 in Solicitor Training (6.56/10)
# 15 in Satisfaction with Work (7.95/10)

Salary

London 2012
1st year trainee: £41,000
After 10 months: £46,000
After 22 months: £50,000
Newly qualified: £72,500

Compare all Salaries for London Law Firms

Departments

Antitrust & Competition Law
Banking & Finance
Business Restructuring & Reorganisation
Capital Markets
Corporate Criminal Investigations
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Energy
Environmental Health & Safety
Global Disputes
Government Regulation
Intellectual Property
International Litigation & Arbitration
Investment Funds
Issues & Appeals
Labour & Employment
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Equity
Product Liability & Tort Litigation
Real Estate
Securities & Shareholder Litigation
Tax