Quinn (LA), Jones Day (LA), or Irell (CC) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Considering Quinn, Jones Day, and Irell in the SoCal/LA market.

HYS (slightly above median), LR, with clerkship/litigation goals. I’m interested in getting experience early on and developing a practice where I actually go to trial. I don’t have a practice group in mind and don’t feel anything specific toward IP.

Any recent experience with any of these firms in this market?

[Anonymous User]

Not Jones Day.

QE is bigger and potentially safer but from what I hear Irell provides some pretty hands on experience early on.

Also consider that QE is known as a sweatshop with some unsavory personalities.

[Anonymous User]

If you do clerk, then I wouldn't rule JD out. You would then have a very solid chance of being in the small group that gets paid above market.

[Chicago2025]

I disagree. No guarantee at JD and both Irell and QE both have above market bonuses available with way shorter partnership tracks.

[Anonymous User]

Biglaw partner in LA. I would not pick Irell unless you are dead-set on being a patent litigator (and probably not even then). I'd pick between Jones Day and Quinn based on fit - the two firms could not be more different culturally and I've never met someone who would thrive equally in both environments. You will probably work somewhat harder and make somewhat more money at Quinn, but the difference is marginal enough that I wouldn't pick based on compensation.

[sleepyzombie]

Considering Quinn, Jones Day, and Irell in the SoCal/LA market.

HYS (slightly above median), LR, with clerkship/litigation goals. I’m interested in getting experience early on and developing a practice where I actually go to trial. I don’t have a practice group in mind and don’t feel anything specific toward IP.

Any recent experience with any of these firms in this market?

Don’t see what advantage Irell has over the other two if you don’t care about IP.

[Anonymous User]

Biglaw partner in LA. I would not pick Irell unless you are dead-set on being a patent litigator (and probably not even then). I'd pick between Jones Day and Quinn based on fit - the two firms could not be more different culturally and I've never met someone who would thrive equally in both environments. You will probably work somewhat harder and make somewhat more money at Quinn, but the difference is marginal enough that I wouldn't pick based on compensation.

TITCR. Irell is only useful if you want to be a very particular type of plaintiff side patent litigator. They handle huge cases and give good opportunities, but they have a reputation as being complete and total jerks. So much so that I know some major clients wouldn't even consider one of their attorneys for an in house position. I personally wouldn't recommend someone from their to my firm for a lateral move, either (though they'd almost certainly be conflicted out anyway).

I think you're probably more likely to go to trial at Quinn, but if you're not vibing them (and if you think the extra workload will burn you out) then chances are you won't make it to trial anyway.

[Anonymous User]

I disagree. No guarantee at JD and both Irell and QE both have above market bonuses available with way shorter partnership tracks.

People online have a tendency to bash JD because they just don't like it. But the people I know who work there seem happy.

The blackbox comp is a concern. The rule of thumb is comp is somewhere between market base and base+bonus, even if not clerkship boost. Regardless of hours. Plus they don't do layoffs. If the main competition is QE, which has a tough culture and a 2100 requirement which may be hard to get when going to or coming from a clerkship, it's far from a clearcut choice.

Also I wouldn't make a decision based on partnership track. Odds are you'll lateral twice before that's relevant, if you even last that far.