On the hunt for a full-service firm where partnership ain’t out of reach? This Texan has got the whole Range(r).
Jackson Walker Lateral Profile 2024
You don’t get more Texas than Jackson Walker; it’s a firm that’s been dedicated to the Lone Star state for over 135 years, firmly cementing itself as a Texan household name. It’s BigLaw with a Southern twang: “As a law student, I had no intention of joining BigLaw because I wanted to have time for my family. Then my law school professor introduced me to Jackson Walker.” And the rest is history.
That’s right: “The people who work at JW live a balanced life,” multiple associates echoed. Similarly, “there’s no revolving door attitude,” another told us. So, if you’re looking to be a lifer at a law firm, you may just be reading the right profile.
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…
“They were genuine. They care more about people then money. Their strategic vision is aligned to that and so is their daily practice.”
Everyone works hard, but not at the expense of being kind. The firm allows and expects attorneys to have a life outside the office.
“By far the best I saw through law school and even outside now. I see associates from other firms that are miserable hanging out with work colleagues, and I do not feel that way at all.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
5 |
0.47 : 1 |
94% |
||
|
partners made |
associate : partner |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
96% |
92% |
94% |
||
| 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: JW associates have extensive latitude in how they build their practice. A broad range of clients and a low associate-to-partner ratio gives associates access to high-value work experience, which is supported by a robust in-house training CLE program and a team of dedicated mentors. Our business development program, built specifically for associates, offers targeted training along with a Business Development Mentor in order to work toward goals as defined by the associate. Our leadership development program helps associates explore their strengths and default behaviors before we teach specific strategies to manage and motivate interpersonal and team relationships, and ultimately, how to excel in community and organizational level leadership. Our Pathway to Partnership Program provides associates with all of the information needed to make a smooth transition into partnership.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
10.7 |
45 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took |
average number of hours associates worked |
|
96% |
65% |
65% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
The firm did not disclose its salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Performance reviews for associate attorneys are conducted twice a year. Our associates have an annual 1,950 billable hour requirement to be eligible for a full benchmark raise, and a 2,000 billable hour requirement to be eligible for a bonus. Associates will receive billable hour credit for up to 50 hours of approved pro bono work. JW offers alternative work schedules and non-partnership track positions. Associate compensation including bonuses are based on performance benchmarks and is not strictly lockstep.
Is Jackson Walker the right firm for you?
|
98% |
96% |
96% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The relaxed yet responsible nature of the firm. Everyone gets along and jokes and has fun but can get down to business when needed.”
“People take it upon themselves to make it a better place to work. For example, one of the senior associates started inviting all associates in our practice group to lunch every day. Eventually, this morphed into all partners, associates and staff. Now we eat lunch together most days and have great relationships.”
“Having all the attorneys working within a few hours’ drive of one another and in the same time zone really promotes a culture of respect and teamwork.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
86% |
26% |
33% |
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
The view from the firm: In addition to our long-standing women’s initiative, Jackson Walker Women, we recently launched and are focused on growing six Lawyer Resource Groups (LRGs): Abilities, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Black, First Generation, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+. In addition to our long-standing Jackson Walker Women LRG, these groups provide a forum for mentorship, networking, open dialogue, and the exchange of ideas.
We also host a Diversity & Inclusion Hour every other month for all employees to share their personal stories, news, historical events involving diverse groups, and the current state of our Committee’s initiatives. These D&I Hours have included important discussions about the historical context of Black Lives Matter; the fight for LGBTQ+ rights; the disproportionate incarceration of people of color and the work our Pro Bono Committee is doing to help; the desegregation of schools; the origins of labels such as Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx; the historical violence—both explicit and implicit—against Chinese Americans in the U.S.; the laws put in place to prohibit race-based discrimination at work and in schools; and the commitment to making our website more accessible
Jackson Walker is proud to announce our achievement of Mansfield Rule Certification status.
Pro Bono
|
30 |
78% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Tulsa Police Department (commutation); Richard Glossip (death penalty); Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (eviction proceedings).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Meghan Pier, Director of Associate Recruiting
mpier@jw.com