The Definitive Thread on OH Law Firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone a practicing attorney/clerk or someone with knowledge on how the major firms in Cincinnati are viewed? Are they all more or less the same, prestige-wise?

I’m curious about this as well. I am going to be working for one of them soon and never really heard much differentiating them in terms of prestige.

Unless it is Jones Day or Squire, I’m not sure it really matters. They’re all regional firms and nobody cares about “prestige.”

Just trying to get a sense of what differentiates the Cincinnati firms since I don't go to law school in Cincinnati, and the market seems a bit more insular compared to Columbus/Cleveland.

Also, I get the impression that Squire is a risky place to start your career at. Haven't they been having issues for a while now? Not sure I'd take them over a regional Cincinnati firm to be honest.

What kind of issues? Of the regional Cincinnati firms, I heard Dinsmore had quite a few layoffs due to COVID.

Anyone want to talk Columbus/Cleveland? I’m curious about those markets, since I’m from Ohio. Looking to see where I can land after clerking.

They've been a volatile firm (at least from my knowledge compared to other Ohio firms) since the recession. There's a lot of older TLS threads on this topic (search Squire Sanders Dempsey for their pre-merger posts).

Not trying to rag on Squire, but I did a lot of digging on TLS for info on Ohio firms and was not impressed with how Squire's Ohio presence handled the recession, and it seems that they were quick to reduce costs with summers/associates. See, for example:

• "SSD is basically melting into the lake . . ." October 2009

• "I had a buddy work at Squire Cleveland 3 years ago. He told me that moral there is pretty low. They no offered a bunch of people over there during the recession and hasn't taken any summers for a while now." September 2011

• "SSD hired came on campus (and hired) at Ohio State for the first time since '08" October 2011

• Both Squire Sanders and Patton Boggs were discussed as "firms to avoid." August 2012

• Squire Patton Boggs (V72) - 20% pay cut for associates Sept 2020 *Notable because some of the more "regional" Ohio firms did not cut associate pay at all, but reduced partner draws instead.

All that being said, from what I've gleaned Squire is a solid option for mid-level associate laterals and post-clerks. But from everything I've read, it is just a more risky option for more junior associates. I certainly wouldn't take it over Jones Day all else being equal, and I'm not sure I'd take it over a more "regional" OH firm with a stronger track record of stability

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone a practicing attorney/clerk or someone with knowledge on how the major firms in Cincinnati are viewed? Are they all more or less the same, prestige-wise?

I’m curious about this as well. I am going to be working for one of them soon and never really heard much differentiating them in terms of prestige.

Unless it is Jones Day or Squire, I’m not sure it really matters. They’re all regional firms and nobody cares about “prestige.”

Just trying to get a sense of what differentiates the Cincinnati firms since I don't go to law school in Cincinnati, and the market seems a bit more insular compared to Columbus/Cleveland.

Also, I get the impression that Squire is a risky place to start your career at. Haven't they been having issues for a while now? Not sure I'd take them over a regional Cincinnati firm to be honest.

What kind of issues? Of the regional Cincinnati firms, I heard Dinsmore had quite a few layoffs due to COVID.

Anyone want to talk Columbus/Cleveland? I’m curious about those markets, since I’m from Ohio. Looking to see where I can land after clerking.

They've been a volatile firm (at least from my knowledge compared to other Ohio firms) since the recession. There's a lot of older TLS threads on this topic (search Squire Sanders Dempsey for their pre-merger posts).

Not trying to rag on Squire, but I did a lot of digging on TLS for info on Ohio firms and was not impressed with how Squire's Ohio presence handled the recession, and it seems that they were quick to reduce costs with summers/associates. See, for example:

• "SSD is basically melting into the lake . . ." October 2009

• "I had a buddy work at Squire Cleveland 3 years ago. He told me that moral there is pretty low. They no offered a bunch of people over there during the recession and hasn't taken any summers for a while now." September 2011

• "SSD hired came on campus (and hired) at Ohio State for the first time since '08" October 2011

• Both Squire Sanders and Patton Boggs were discussed as "firms to avoid." August 2012

• Squire Patton Boggs (V72) - 20% pay cut for associates Sept 2020 *Notable because some of the more "regional" Ohio firms did not cut associate pay at all, but reduced partner draws instead.

All that being said, from what I've gleaned Squire is a solid option for mid-level associate laterals and post-clerks. But from everything I've read, it is just a more risky option for more junior associates. I certainly wouldn't take it over Jones Day all else being equal, and I'm not sure I'd take it over a more "regional" OH firm with a stronger track record of stability

Yikes on that pay cut. I know a lot of the regional firms here did not do that but restricted partner draws. But frankly, I’m not sure I’d have a shot at somewhere like Jones Day post-clerkship. How have they handled things lately?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what the word is on Baker Hostetler?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have thoughts on the pros and cons of starting off one's career in a major market (think NYC/DC/Chicago V10) with the end goal of coming back to Ohio, versus starting off in Ohio at a non-V100 but well-respected homegrown firm (so JD/SPB/BH aside)?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Benesch would be appreciated as well - thanks

[Anonymous User]

What are clerkship bonuses like in Cinci/Columbus?

[Anonymous User]

Looks like market comp in Cincinnati is going to get a bump to 135,000

[alliwantis]

Tucker Ellis is well-established in Cleveland and did really well in 2020. I think it's one of the best options in the area. I'm not sure where comp is at now because it was recently raised for all associates but I think starting for a 1st year associate is around $125-130k then add another 5% on for each class year and you'll have a fair estimate for your year. I think you can come in higher if you lateral after clerking or being in a bigger market/bigger firm.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what the word is on Baker Hostetler?

Interviewed at their Cleveland office but didn't end up there. Got along well with the lawyers but heard they no offered some of their class last summer.

[Anonymous User]

Is there anyone with update info about a general market scale at both the big law firms and the big regional firms (i.e, Dinsmore, Ice Miller, FBT) for more senior associates? I know ATL posted salary scales for Ice Miller but not exactly sure what those different class years are: https://abovethelaw.com/2021/05/biglaw- ... s-for-all/

[Anonymous User]

If I'm reading Thompson Hine's NALP listing correctly, in Cleveland they had 7 summers last year and only gave return offers to 5. Anyone have any insight on this?

Also, their published starting salaries are Cleveland-$135k, Cincinnati-$125k, Columbus-$125k, Dayton-$125k

[Anonymous User]

If I'm reading Thompson Hine's NALP listing correctly, in Cleveland they had 7 summers last year and only gave return offers to 5. Anyone have any insight on this?

Also, their published starting salaries are Cleveland-$135k, Cincinnati-$125k, Columbus-$125k, Dayton-$125k

I believe they moved to $135k recently.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any Vorys info? Their website redirects to NALP, but I don't see them listed on there. Pay/hours/clerkship bonus or credit (since they seem to suggest as much on their website)?

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

Taft is raising Ohio salaries again! Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $150, Cleveland to $160.

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

Taft is raising Ohio salaries again! Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $150, Cleveland to $160.

Wow, that’s insane. KMK just raised theirs to $140 to catch up. I wonder if they’ll raise to $150 now.

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

Taft is raising Ohio salaries again! Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $150, Cleveland to $160.

Taft raised twice in a three month period - interesting!

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

Taft is raising Ohio salaries again! Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $150, Cleveland to $160.

Wow, that’s insane. KMK just raised theirs to $140 to catch up. I wonder if they’ll raise to $150 now.

Good to know. I have to imagine KMK will raise again, to be able to compete with Taft for talent?

Anyone know where Dinsmore, Frost, etc. are at with Cincinnati comp? It's been hard to keep track of where market is at with all these Taft raises this year.

[Anonymous User]

Taft raised again, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $140k, Cleveland to $150k.

Any indication if any other firms are following suit?

Taft is raising Ohio salaries again! Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton to $150, Cleveland to $160.

Wow, that’s insane. KMK just raised theirs to $140 to catch up. I wonder if they’ll raise to $150 now.

Good to know. I have to imagine KMK will raise again, to be able to compete with Taft for talent?

Anyone know where Dinsmore, Frost, etc. are at with Cincinnati comp? It's been hard to keep track of where market is at with all these Taft raises this year.

Pretty sure Thompson Hine is at $140k now.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone aware of any solid boutiques for former clerks? Trying to find somewhere to get some experience

[Anonymous User]

I plan to move to Ohio from a major market (but relatively LCOL) within the next couple of years. Currently at a v10 in a corporate practice group, and the pay cut looks like it would be pretty drastic.

What do mid-levels now make at the top Columbus firms? How are bonuses? Does anyone know the health of the legal market in general and if there's any chance big firms start moving in (I'm thinking like the recent openings in SLC)?

I'm trying to decide if it makes sense to instead try to find a remote position that pays market, but I'm not sure if the market for transactional associates will be as hot when I make the move.

[Anonymous User]

What’s the word on Walter Haverfield, if any? Starting pay, what a mid- or senior associate might make, general reputation, etc.?

[Anonymous User]

Bump

[Anonymous User]

Bumping. Sounds like JD just moved to 225k for first years in all offices. Curious if other firms will raise salaries or if new firms will start moving into Ohio. I feel like Intel moving into Columbus might indicate that other big companies will make similar moves in the next few years.