This Chicago-based litigation giant is looking for a new Jenneration of attorneys, with core values in top pro bono work and promoting an inclusive environment.
Jenner & Block Lateral Profile 2024
Its name sounds familiar, right? For us here at Chambers Associate, it brings a certain early 2000s melody to our heads. And much in keeping with track’s narrative, Jenner really is still one of the biggest litigation firms on the block. One attorney highlighted that “Jenner’s New York office has a strong focus on investigations. A lot of work is coming in and it is in the news, so it seemed like a no-brainer.” Generally, the associate cohort praised the firm’s forward-thinking approach, as another commented that “it’s somewhere where you get to see new technologies and new work unfold to be impactful to our clients.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“The commitment to pro bono, diversity, and the warmth, intelligence, and passion of the partners and associates.”
“It seemed like everyone knew each other, was friendly, and did not seem competitive. Everyone also appeared interested and engaged in their work, and they liked what they were doing.”
“I was pleasantly surprised with how, on the whole, I was being treated, included, and respected as a junior attorney.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2024
Careers at Jenner & Block
The view from the firm: Jenner & Block is always on the lookout for great talent. We regularly hire top candidates from across the legal profession and value lawyers who bring a diversity of experience, skills, and approaches to their practice. As specific lateral needs arise, we post open positions on https://www.jenner.com/en/careers and our LinkedIn page.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: US and UK
Client secondment examples: We frequently second lawyers to clients as we see the long-term benefits for our clients, our lawyers, and the firm. Our partners and associates have gained invaluable experience and built strong relationships with clients by working on secondments. We work closely with our clients to determine the best fit and structure for any secondment and we recognize there is no “one-size-fits-all” arrangement. We have done full-time secondments for six months or more (to cover an employee on leave or during a search for a new employee), as well as part-time secondments for a few weeks (to handle discrete tasks or a temporary absence). We have had secondments to clients in many industries including technology, media, and entertainment.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
8 |
1.1 : 1 |
65% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
85% |
58% |
83% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: No one does career development like Jenner. Our goal is to develop the whole lawyer by helping you have the skills, conversations, and mentorship you need to flourish. Every lawyer here participates in a comprehensive development program focused on giving you a panoply of legal and professional skills--at the right time and the right level--whether you're joining as a first year, leading and managing teams as a senior associate, or joining the partnership.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
12.6 |
46.3 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
62% |
79% |
81% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
*The firm did not disclose salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Full-time associates have an annual target of 1,950 billable hours, at which point they are eligible for a discretionary merit bonus. An additional “super bonus” will be considered for contributing more than 1,950 hours. For bonus purposes, the firm will credit up to 100 hours of approved pro bono, business development, and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) work toward the 1,950-hour threshold, after which all pro bono, business development, and DEI hours, as well as other meaningful contributions will be considered in determining additional “super bonus” amounts.
The firm offers the option of reduced billable hours targets. Associates with a reduced billable hour target participate in the annual review process and can receive merit bonuses and true-up of bonus and salary if they exceed their budget. Those above 75% of annual target billable hours are eligible for promotion to partner.
Is Jenner & Block the right firm for you?
|
84% |
88% |
91% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: We encourage our lawyers to bring their passions to work. Whether it is representing big name clients in industry-shaping transactions, arguing high-profile cases in state and federal appeals courts, investigating and monitoring corporate fraud and corruption, or advocating for clients interest before Congress, you will work alongside internationally recognized lawyers on the impact issues driving progress. Regularly recognized as the top pro bono firm in the country, we've led the way on many of the most important issues of our time, including groundbreaking cases on LGBTQ rights, reproductive justice, civil rights and immigration and asylum.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Everyone seems so close - people are happy to chat about anything and everything. Doors are always open and there is a lot of laughter in the corridors.”
“Jenner has an incredibly respectful culture, particularly for associates. The firm strategically hires only as many associates as it can keep busy and gives them the freedom to manage their own workload. This creates a strong incentive for partners to be good to work with.”
“The low tolerance for toxic workplace attitudes and commitment to a diverse, effective work environment.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
74% |
35% |
32% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Our commitment to DEI is exemplified by our participation in a variety of innovative initiatives such as the Mansfield Rule. The firm has earned certification each year since the program’s inception – including Mansfield Plus Certification status in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Our sponsorship program was designed to better support underrepresented lawyers at the firm in terms of equal access to high-impact and high-visibility assignments. In this program underrepresented lawyers are paired with a sponsor currently serving as a practice group leader or on the Management and Policy Committee.
Our affinity groups also play an important role in helping us create an inclusive and supportive environment. Annually the firm hosts the C3 Summit, where lawyers of color from all Jenner & Block offices gather to connect with each other, firm leadership, and practice groups with a focus on cultivating relationships and enhancing business opportunities.
The firm hosted Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) fellows across the firm in summer 2023 and has been participating in the SEO Fellows program since 2017. SEO Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and complete a paid internship in a top law firm prior to their first year in law school. We have also participated in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) 1L LCLD Scholars Program since 2020.
Pro Bono
|
168 |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Saphonte Kuykendoll (criminal justice); Afghan Students from the Asian University for Women Granted Asylum (immigration); Jenner & Block Challenge Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Youth in Iowa.
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Jenner & Block is committed to sustainability. Our recycling programs include paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, batteries, toners, electronic waste and even cooking oil (converted to biofuel). We purchase sustainable consumable products, including biodegradable cups, straws and utensils, recycled paper and remanufactured toner cartridges for our printers. We limit waste by utilizing reusable containers when possible, and printers are set to 2-sided printing as a default. Our lighting systems and thermostat controls allow us to optimize energy performance, and our appliances and equipment are Energy Star certified. We have bike rooms that are designed to promote biking to work. Unique sustainable features and initiatives like charging stations for electric cars, green roofs, vermicomposting, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, and LEED certified office buildings/interior spaces demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the environment.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Chicago: Tarah Smith (tsmith@jenner.com) – Legal Recruiting Manager
New York: Heather Conrad (hconrad@jenner.com) – Director, Firmwide Legal Recruiting
Washington DC: Linda Hight (lhight@jenner.com) – Director, Legal Recruiting
Los Angeles, Century City, and San Francisco: Heather Conrad (hconrad@jenner.com) – Director, Firmwide Legal Recruiting