Thompson Hine

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Like any major law firm, Thompson Hine is seeking candidates with stellar academic records, but the firm also looks to hire those with strong local ties who will fit with the firm’s culture. Associates gush about the culture, which is welcoming and supportive, with opportunities to socialize. Partners are approachable and invested in associate development, which goes a long way with associate satisfaction. Transparency is a high point for the firm, both in terms of sharing firm performance with the associates and offering insight into the promotion process. Associates biggest gripe is probably compensation, which they note is below the BigLaw scale. But associates are positive about their work and feel engaged and challenged. Hours can be long, but associates feel there is support for work/life balance. Partnership is a realistic goal, and associates feel the firm’s reputation provides great exit opportunities as well.

ASSOCIATE REVIEWS:

GETTING HIRED

Hiring Process & Interview Questions

• “This firm looks for strong, committed associates who are willing to work hard, have a good attitude, and put in the time and effort to be successful at the firm.”
• “… We are looking for candidates who finished top of their class with some type of extracurricular activity (especially journal or moot court), who have strong ties to this area and want to stay here, who want to work at a large law firm (particularly Thompson Hine), and who genuinely want to work in the practice group for which we are hiring.”
• “The firm is really looking for someone with a high work ethic and personality that fits in with the firm's culture.”
• “There was a panel interview with situational type questions. You are required to give specific examples and can only use an example once in the 5-7 questions that are given.”
• “The firm asks behavioral interview questions, questions about past experience, and allows you to ask a lot of questions. The interview is very conversational.”

ASSOCIATE LIFE

Firm Culture

• “Thompson Hine has an exceptional culture. It provides a welcoming atmosphere and no attorney is too busy to answer questions—whether about the practice of law or otherwise. Further, the firm does an excellent job integrating new associates with more senior associates. Weekly events are planned, and all are encouraged to come and socialize. As a new hire, these weekly events were critical to my on-boarding experience.”
• “Firm culture is team-oriented and supportive—plenty of opportunity for social opportunities.”
• “The firm has a friendly culture. The work environment is pleasant and professional. The firm and the partners I work with like to invest in their associates.”
• “The lawyers in my office frequently socialize. The firm sponsors various lunches, happy hours, parties, and after-work outings, such as attendance at sporting events.”

Associate/Partner Relations

• “Partners are extremely approachable and generally treat the associates very well.”
• “… Non-partner associates are updated regularly on firm performance, planned capital expenditures, and other such news. There is an associate group that reports directly to the managing partner to discuss any issues that arise in associate/partner relations. Associates are reviewed annually for promotion and the process is run transparently by a committee.”
• “Partners have taken a repeated interest in my career development, not just in churning out work product. They seek opportunities to involve me in decision-making, client relations, and experiential training.”

Hours & Compensation

• “Thompson Hine is accommodating to work/life balance, is fair with allowing adjusted schedules and partners are supportive.”
• “Intermittent days of long hours are inevitable at any large firm. However, my practice group makes a conscious effort to ensure I'm not overworked. To a large degree, there is flexibility in where and when work is performed as long as deadlines are met.”
• “In order to be eligible for a bonus, we must hit 1,900 billable hours. …”

The firm says: “Under a compensation structure put in place in 2019, associates are eligible for bonuses at 1,800 hours and 1,900 hours.”

• “The firm's salary is well below Cravath scale and may even be slightly below other comparable mid-size firms. But associates don't come here for the money, they become because it is a generally good place to work with reasonable demands as compared to the higher paying larger firms. Bonuses are also well below market.”

Quality of Work

• “The work I do tends to be whatever is required for the deal I am working on. Because It may only be myself and a partner or perhaps myself, a partner and another senior lawyer, I tend to get a wide range of assignments, from junior level diligence to drafting substantive provisions of agreements or filings.”
• “I have client interaction, take and defend depositions, appear in housing and small claims court, draft motions and pleadings.”
• “I frequently engage in due diligence review, disclosure schedule preparation, closing checklist maintenance, ancillary document drafting and some revisions to main transaction documents.”
• “I am getting more involved in cases that goes beyond simply doing research. I'm becoming able to see a case from beginning to end.”

Training & Mentoring

• “Partners take the time to mentor you through new assignments and more experienced associates are willing to help train new associates. For lateral hires there is some formal training regarding basic firm policies and information systems, however, most of the training is on the job.”
• “We have regular trainings almost weekly and I have been provided with extensive professional development and multiple mentors.”
• “Formal training is okay, a lot of external tools for training, CLE's etc. which is valuable. Thompson Hine has improved in this regard over the last several years.  Mentoring is not formal, it is on the associate to find and build those relationships, but many partners are open and willing to build symbiotic relationships with associates - this is the most valuable learning experience.”

Career Outlook

• “The firm does walk the walk with respect to promotion. If you meet the requirements, they do not hesitate to move an associate to the next level (which accompanying compensation increases).  The chances to make partner vary by office and practice group, but most associates know going into their senior associate years whether that is a likely possibility. The firm also has a good reputation in the community, and many associates who do not want to make partner are able to transition to other positions and generally go in-house.”
• “… The firm does offer counsel positions to senior associates. Partnership does seem realistic as the associate to partner ratio is very low. I have seen associates leave to go to bigger firms, smaller firms, and in-house opportunities.”
• “Promotion to partnership is realistic. Management works with third-year associates on strategic business plans to set them up for partnership. …”