Jones Day (NY) vs. Mintz (BOS) Forum

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I know this thread got derailed, but if anyone has actual thoughts on my original question I’d love to hear

[Anonymous User]

Mintz is the better firm and they pay market throughout class years (and I believe market bonuses too). Also smaller so you will actually get to know your colleagues (could be good or bad).

[DildaMan]

Sorry for (another one) of these - fortunate enough to have an offer for both of these firms (just got the Mintz one the other day) and feeling pretty conflicted. I made an earlier post for Jones Day (NY) vs. Holland & Knight (NY), but this one feels a lot closer to me

Factors under consideration -

1. Geography: Generally looking to be in the northeast (I’m from New York) but may be looking to be in Boston in a few years to be closer to my partner’s family as well. It’s not set either way. Mintz being in Boston is a plus here, but JD also has a Boston office and I’ve heard they’re pretty flexible about relocating down the line, so maybe it’s more of a wash? But my impression is that for the Boston area specifically, Mintz is more prominent. On the other hand, I’m not sure if I’m ready to go to Boston just yet and kind of like the idea of a couple more years in New York

2. Litigation Strength: Chambers has both of these listed Band 2 in their respective states, so they seem somewhat comparable. On the other hand, I know Mintz has a big life sciences focus, so it’s possible the diversity of litigation matters at JD might be greater

3. Work/Life Balance: This is very important to me, and probably the biggest plus to Mintz is that they seem like more of a lifestyle firm. I’ve heard the hours at JD are actually not as bad as peer firms, but it’s still not a lifestyle firm by any means

4. Compensation: Don’t love the black box at JD, and Mintz currently pays market, though I’m not sure if they’ve always historically matched market/whether they also match market bonuses, so it’s possible it’s more of a wash than it looks

5. Prestige/Exit Opportunities: I don’t really care about prestige for its own sake, but I do care about it in terms of exit opportunities it opens/closes. The idea of trying to be an AUSA one day is interesting to me, and I’m wondering if that’s easier to do from a more “prestigious” firm. That being said, JD also has all the Trump associations with it (as was pointed out to me in the previous thread) which I’m well aware of

6. Vibes: Honestly a wash for me - I really liked everyone I met at both firms and could see myself fitting in well at either. I also did really like the physical office for JD, but in all fairness, I didn’t get to see Mintz’s office so it’s hard to make a comparison there.

Any thoughts appreciated

Hey OP,

I worked at Mintz for a few years and spent a lot of time in the Boston office. Generally, the people and environment are great, but a lot of those people left during COVID. I was an IP lit associate but worked with general lit associates and partners. Mintz has a program that lets you spend a year at the DA to gain trial experience. You can PM me if you have specific questions.

[Anonymous User]

This is almost a no-brainer Mintz. JD’s blackbox comp structure (see ATL for some level of disclosure) combined with awful culture (heard from numerous friends who work or worked there) makes it a “choice” if you have just that offer and nothing else. I’d take any other market or close to market Amlaw 200 over JD any day. And Mintz isnt just any Amlaw 200, its a pretty well-respected middle market shop, and Boston being the HQ makes it even more solid option. If you dont like it after some time you can always lateral “up”. I believe they pay market lockstep comp with slightly below market bonus, but thats still better than JD’s blackbox comp.

[Anonymous User]

It depends where you want to live. JD has its issues, but it has more of a national reputation. If you want to live in New York or other cities, JD might make that easier.

[Anonymous User]

Some of these takes are wild. By standard metrics, Jones Day is clearly a "better" firm than Mintz. It has bigger clients, more sophisticated work, and significantly more brand value both nationally and globally. It does pay most associates below market. That's a tradeoff of low leverage. Decide for yourself how much you care. I have no idea why people are saying Jones Day has a bad culture. It's old-school (formal, hierarchical, reserved) but also collegial, collaborative, and respectful of family time.