Venable, PH, and JD Culture? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Currently at a boutiqe firm looking at mid-level lateral options in NY. Any insight on these three firms' cultures? Any input is appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

PH doesn't have a great reputation, especially in their NY office. I think some of the regional offices have better cultures.

[Anonymous User]

JD sucks. They told everyone Thursday evening before the holiday weekend that only a select few would be getting raises, most people get no raise, and some people will actually be getting pay cuts. They mailed the letters with our new pay on Thursday, so we don’t get them until next week and get to worry all weekend about which group we fall in. But they claim they aren’t reducing salaries like other firms have.

JD doesn’t give annual class year raises in January, they wait until July. So not only are we not getting the class year raises we were owed in January, we also are not getting our 2019 bonuses (they are supposed to be “baked in” to the July raises - but no July raise means no bonus for the previous year).

Also important to note that because the “bonuses” are “baked in,” the “bonus” is only paid out over the next full year so you have to stay that long to actually get the bonus. That’s right, to get your full 2019 bonus you would need to stay until July 2021. And bonuses almost never match market.

Stay away. It’s toxic.

[Anonymous User]

JD sucks. They told everyone Thursday evening before the holiday weekend that only a select few would be getting raises, most people get no raise, and some people will actually be getting pay cuts. They mailed the letters with our new pay on Thursday, so we don’t get them until next week and get to worry all weekend about which group we fall in. But they claim they aren’t reducing salaries like other firms have.

JD doesn’t give annual class year raises in January, they wait until July. So not only are we not getting the class year raises we were owed in January, we also are not getting our 2019 bonuses (they are supposed to be “baked in” to the July raises - but no July raise means no bonus for the previous year).

Also important to note that because the “bonuses” are “baked in,” the “bonus” is only paid out over the next full year so you have to stay that long to actually get the bonus. That’s right, to get your full 2019 bonus you would need to stay until July 2021. And bonuses almost never match market.

Stay away. It’s toxic.

I’m in the New York office. It’s not true that Jones Day said anything about salaries staying the same or being cut to our office. I’m not sure why someone would post this but it’s not true (litigation associate).

[Anonymous User]

It happened to my office. Guess they didn’t tell you yet. Wait until everyone gets their letters.

[Anonymous User]

It happened to my office. Guess they didn’t tell you yet. Wait until everyone gets their letters.

Ok. Jones Day compensation is individualized and not the same across offices so I believe this. NY office has been busy even during the pandemic.

[jarofsoup]

Wait until you have better options.

[Anonymous User]

I was previously an associate at both JD and Venable. Venable is a fantastic place to work, and a great place to start your career. The turnover there is generally lower vs. other firms since they really place emphasis on long-term development, and they treat the associates as the future of the firm. My experience at JD was not good, the turnover was through the roof, and many people in my year had negative experiences. I'd be willing to go into more specifics via PM, but would overall recommend Venable over JD by a wide margin.

[Anonymous User]

I was an associate at Venable and had a friend at JD, and I would take Venable 10 times out of 10 over JD based on our compared experiences - you may end up with your pay compressed as a mid-level at Venable, but they were pretty open about compensation when I was there and there were never any surprises. Bonuses weren't market, but things could have changed, and it may be different in NY (I left 5 years ago). I was in DC and not NY, so can't speak to the NY office specifically but never heard anything bad about that office. Maybe JD has better exit options because it's more prestigious or whatever but if you're planning on staying at a firm long term I'd go to Venable.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks a lot for the input.

I've heard similar things about JD in the past. No surprises there. I've been wary about the firm, but submitted my application with nothing to lose.

I'm surprised that PH has this rep. Taking it with a (huge) grain of salt, but the Vault rankings and other outlets have the firm as a great place to work/good lifestyle/etc. I have them near the top of my list because of the ability to possibly come in as Counsel rather than associate.

[Anonymous User]

I’m a mid-level at Venable and I really have nothing but good things to say about the firm as a whole. Seems weird to say it in the context of biglaw, but I truly enjoy my work (and my coworkers) tremendously.

[Anonymous User]

Speaking of JD—any other JD associates that can speak to what their salary change was this year? I got my letter today with no comp change. Pretty furious after a busy year and great reviews.

OP I guess this also serves as a vote to stay away from JD.

[Anonymous User]

My good friend works at Venable. She said that venable reduced some associate salaries up to like 50% due to COVID even though it officially only reduced 20%. She said that these associates got calls afterwards saying that they’d have their salaries further reduced. I’ve heard great things about the firm, but I think PH and even JD pay more.

[Anonymous User]

Venable is a mixed bag. I'm guessing the folks that gave positive reviews above worked or knew someone that worked in on of their East Coast offices. Venable's DC and NY offices in particular have pretty good reputations.

However, if you're considering their LA or SF office, run far away. There are many toxic partners in those offices and they have quite the negative reputation. They churn through associates like it's nothing.

[Anonymous User]

Venable is a mixed bag. I'm guessing the folks that gave positive reviews above worked or knew someone that worked in on of their East Coast offices. Venable's DC and NY offices in particular have pretty good reputations.

However, if you're considering their LA or SF office, run far away. There are many toxic partners in those offices and they have quite the negative reputation. They churn through associates like it's nothing.

I'm one of the former Venable anons from above, and I agree, don't go to Venable LA (I don't know much about SF). But OP was asking about NY, so that shouldn't be an issue (unless you're going to be working for LA folks from the NY office for some reason). But I never had any issues with the NY, DC, or Baltimore offices.

[Anonymous User]

OP again. Thanks for the input. Good to know re Venable's West Coast offices, but I wouldn't be working with anyone outside of New York and possibly DC.

Sounds like the order here is Venable > PH >>> JD? Any additional feedback on PH would be great. Seems like Venable's been discussed pretty thoroughly and JD's reputation precedes it.

[Anonymous User]

OP again. Thanks for the input. Good to know re Venable's West Coast offices, but I wouldn't be working with anyone outside of New York and possibly DC.

Sounds like the order here is Venable > PH >>> JD? Any additional feedback on PH would be great. Seems like Venable's been discussed pretty thoroughly and JD's reputation precedes it.

Former PH associate. I'd stay far away. Especially if looking in Southern Cal. TONS of turnover. Depends what group you are in but corporate and real estate are especially bad.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks for all the input, everyone. I accepted an offer at a different V50 firm than the three listed here. I appreciate everyone’s comments.