Jones Day or McDermott (both LA) Forum

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

If you want lit, you should go JD. Big rep as a top lit firm nationally.

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

You'd most likely get paid more at McDermott (JD has that weird Black Box Compensation scheme) and you'd probably have a better quality of life at McDermott as well. & it has a pretty good Lit practice too

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

Choose McDermott. No bonuses at JD.

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

I'm not sure if you care about money but I hear associates are paid below market at JD and you'll generally be doing the same work at most of these V100 firms. Something to think about. But I say McDermott too.

[Anonymous User]

I think JD is justifiable here. Your decision basically comes down to money v. exit options. JD lit is much more well respected in LA and nationally than McDermott. JD will likely underpay you, but you'll likely also have better options when you decide to leave. Unless your planning on staying at either firm for 4+ years or want to move to Chicacgo/NY down the road, I'd pick Jones Day.

[dasq5511]

I'd go with JD. Like other posters are saying, JD will have better name recognition and is better known for litigation. Anecdotally, I've done a callback with JD LA and the people seemed fine but nothing special, fairly generic imo. If you look at ATL, you'll see that others are right regarding making less money there, but it's also true that JD has a better track record of holding on to associates in economic downturn.

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

What are your reservations for each firm?

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

What are your reservations for each firm?

Mainly compensation/quality of life for JD and exit options for McDermott

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

What are your reservations for each firm?

Mainly compensation/quality of life for JD and exit options for McDermott

I think McDermott. It seems like ranking doesn't bother you much, and it shouldn't. Exit opportunities might be better at JD because it is more reputable, but that's not to say exit opportunities will not be available at McDermott. You might not even look for exit opportunities if you end up enjoying it. More $$ and a better quality of life at McDermott like posters said above. But if you're into ranking and prestige, then JD. Really just gotta go with your gut. Are you leaning more towards one?

[Anonymous User]

I'd go McDermott. Having more exit options is a plus, but I think it's better to work at a firm where you might find you don't even need them because you actually like the firm/people, and quality of life is definitely not something to undervalue because litigation work is litigation work regardless. If exit options are really important I'd say shoot for a clerkship before or after first associate year because that will open more doors than JD alone.

[Anonymous User]

If exit options are really important I'd say shoot for a clerkship before or after first associate year because that will open more doors than JD alone.

Yea actually this may be the best advice ITT: Go to a market-paying firm (McDermott) for a year or two, then clerk, then consider taking another stab at the job market to see what options pop up.

[mecarey]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

What are your reservations for each firm?

Mainly compensation/quality of life for JD and exit options for McDermott

Go with the people you clicked better with. If they liked you and you liked them, you will enjoy life more and they are more likely to give you interesting/substantive work when they can (as opposed to pure grunt work 24/7).

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

What are your reservations for each firm?

Mainly compensation/quality of life for JD and exit options for McDermott

McDermott. Quality of life is extremely important imo

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

Just curious... what did you decide?

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

Just curious... what did you decide?

McDermott

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

Just curious... what did you decide?

McDermott

Congratulations!!

[Anonymous User]

JD, hands down.

[Anonymous User]

Great choice. I would’ve chosen McDermott too

[Anonymous User]

These are my only two options really for 2l SA. Interested in lit. Any suggestions?

Congrats OP on McDermott!! Excellent choice. Have you formally declined JD and accepted your McDermott offer already?