The Firm
Jones Day operates as one firm worldwide with 2,400 lawyers in 32 offices across the globe. Jones Day in London is a key part of this global partnership and has around 200 lawyers, including around 50 partners and 40 trainees. This means that we can offer our lawyers a perfect combination - the intimacy and atmosphere of a medium sized City firm with access to both UK and multi-national clients.
Today, Jones Day is one of the most recognized and respected law firms in the world, and we count more than 250 of the Fortune 500 among our clients.
The Work
The principal areas of practice at Jones Day include: corporate finance and M&A transactions; investment funds, private equity and corporate tax planning, banking, capital markets and structured finance, business restructuring, litigation, intellectual property tax and real estate. The London office also has teams of lawyers who are experienced in such areas as competition/antitrust, environmental, and employment and pensions law.
The Training
At Jones Day, we recruit approximately 20 trainees every year and operate a non-rotational training system that is unique among City firms.
Other City law firms operate a rotational or 'seat' system, in which the two years of the training contract are divided into periods of four or six months where you work exclusively for one partner or one practice at a time before moving on to another.
Training at Jones Day is completely different. Under our system, you do not 'belong' to one partner or practice. You can take work from any practice at any time and work with any of our lawyers, which means that you get the flexibility to gain experience in a wide range of practices and from a wide range of colleagues. You also get to discover with whom you work best.
We believe that our system is better because it offers a number of advantages. For example:
Other City law firms operate a rotational or 'seat' system, in which the two years of the training contract are divided into periods of four or six months where you work exclusively for one partner or one practice at a time before moving on to another.
Training at Jones Day is completely different. Under our system, you do not 'belong' to one partner or practice. You can take work from any practice at any time and work with any of our lawyers, which means that you get the flexibility to gain experience in a wide range of practices and from a wide range of colleagues. You also get to discover with whom you work best.
We believe that our system is better because it offers a number of advantages. For example:
- You can be involved in deals and cases from beginning to end. With a seat system, you may have to move on to another deal or case before it completes, meaning that you won’t get to see all your hard work come to fruition.
- You get greater client contact because you can work for the same clients throughout your two years and get to know them over a much longer period.
You can pick up different styles and techniques from lots of partners and associates and work out what is best for you.
Who should apply?
We look for candidates with either a law or non-law degree, who have strong intellectual and analytical ability and good communication skills and who can demonstrate resourcefulness, drive, dedication and the ability to be a team player.
We accept that our training system may not be to everyone's taste, but if you think that it could suit you, the opportunities are significant!
To find out more about our unique training and find details of training contract and work placement opportunities available at Jones Day please click here:
