2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Jones Day

Training & Assignments

• “I was able to jump in on substantive assignments very early on that, looking back on now, were extremely indicative of what a new associate does. I felt there was a large emphasis on firmwide training, but I would have liked more office-specific training.”
• “As a summer associate, I received substantive assignments from several practice groups. And now, as an associate, I understand why: The firm encourages and implores each attorney to seek out and provide these opportunities to summer associates.”
• “I was able to work on a variety of matters. The firm has associate ‘work assignors’ who help you find work in areas you are interested in. We also had an online database of available projects, so you could take on projects you found interesting as you became available.”
• “I got a good mix of assignments. There was one classic 50-state survey that was unpleasant, but I also got to do the kind of brief research in the areas I wanted, which was good preparation for being an actual associate. I also prepared at least one extensive memo that was genuinely difficult, close to my interests, and useful to the partner.”

Social Opportunities

• “Even though COVID was just ending, the summer social program was robust. I felt very comfortable coming back to work here full time, like rejoining friends.”
• “During the summer, firm attorneys were very willing to go to a coffee, lunch, or dinner with the summer associates. The firm put on a number of social events, and the other summer associates were all friendly and helpful.”
• “We had opportunities to meet nearly every attorney in the office in a variety of settings. Informally and formally, the summer program fostered camaraderie among our summer associate class, and we still stay connected (celebrating birthdays, getting lunch together, etc.) today.”
• “When the attorneys attended the summer program, they were sociable and made a concerted effort to get to know the summer associates; however, work and other obligations frequently stopped them from attending.”

Associate Experience vs. Summer Expectations

• “The summer program was completely transparent, there is nothing different from my summer expectations than the reality of working at the firm. It's pleasantly surprising how upfront and honest the program was.’
• “I was surprised by the amount of restrictions imposed by litigation clients limiting which attorneys can bill to certain matters. It has not been as easy as I hoped to work on a variety of litigation matters.”
• “My expectations were fairly well met. The only thing that has surprised me is how frequent and fluid collaboration is across all of our offices. I work seamlessly with attorneys around the world as if they are a few offices down.”
• “... Aligns fairly closely. There are just some things that you can't do as a summer associate that you can do as a real associate.”

Favorite Summer Events

• “Chicago Cubs game.”
• “Went sailing on Lake Erie with a retired partner.”
• “The firmwide summer associate summit in DC was particularly memorable. I enjoyed meeting my coworkers from various offices across the country.”
• “The ping-pong tournament.”

Jones Day provides unlimited opportunities for talented lawyers, not only within the Firm but in boardrooms and courtrooms worldwide. Participation as a summer associate is the best entryway to these opportunities. Our dedication to training and the relatively small size of the summer/new lawyer programs enable us to staff matters leanly, providing summer associates and junior lawyers with substantive and meaningful experiences on cutting-edge legal matters. Because of the Firm’s structure and supportive and collaborative environment, summer associates and junior lawyers also have vast resources at their disposal, not least of which is the Firm's deep and well-regarded bench of 2,400 practitioners across the globe. In addition, summer associates join in pro bono projects and community service work with organizations both inside and outside the law to address pressing social issues, including social and racial injustice, human trafficking, asylum, clemency, domestic violence and veterans’ affairs, to name a few.