Overview
Introduction
Jenner & Block, home to 500 attorneys in seven offices, is known for its friendly, down-to-earth culture and commitment to public service and pro bono. Top-notch attorneys come here not only because they want to do good work but because they also want to do good. Associate development is a priority at the firm, and mentorship opportunities abound. Boasting several excellent practices, Jenner & Block is a place where driven attorneys tackle complex legal work.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Award-winning pro bono work, engaged partners, and top compensation are a few of the reasons why Jenner & Block is an attractive landing spot for associates. Hiring is based on standard criteria such as top schools, academic achievement, and work or clerkship experience. Firm settings are personable, tight-knit, and collaborative and are augmented by partners who are dedicated to helping associates by seeking and incorporating their input. Mentoring relationships focus on professional development, and more formal training—beginning at orientation—is extensive. The firm’s friendly, Midwestern sensibilities help lateral and clerk hires feel welcomed quickly. Lean teams mean that associates get challenging assignments and face time with clients and are encouraged to push them...
About the Firm
From its Windy City roots, Jenner & Block has grown to more than 500 lawyers with offices in Chicago; London; Los Angeles (both downtown and in Century City); New York; San Francisco; and Washington, DC. The client roster is a blend of established corporate institutions and trendy players in the arts, entertainment, consumer brands, and technology.
A Litigation Star Is Born
Jenner & Block was founded in 1914 as Newman, Poppenhusen & Stern by a trio of lawyers with big-name Chicago firm pedigrees. In its early years, the firm advised the city’s banks, mortgage houses, and blue-collar corporations. In the roaring 1920s, however, the firm took on a decidedly increased high-profile identity as litigator Edward Johnston developed into one of the nation’s foremo...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Everyone is kind, considerate, and hardworking. They value producing good product for the client but also value boundaries, personal time, and off-time.”
- “People are generally kind and interested in getting to know each other personally. Jenner's ‘no jerks’ policy tends to be accurate and weeds out sociopaths.”
- “Jenner is full of incredibly friendly, personable people. Staff and attorneys are well-integrated. Social events tend to be firm-sponsored, and many people are more introverted, so there is not a lot of organic socializing outside of work, but the environment is very collegial and laid-back. We do serious work, but we are not terribly serious people.”
- “Jenner is a close-knit community. Although the Chicago office is relatively large, I feel like I know almost everyone in the office. We have plenty of firm-sponsored get-togethers, including many firm-sponsored breakfasts and lunches as well as a weekly happy hour that is very well attended. In addition, you will often find new associates grabbing lunch in our newly renovated snack room, colleagues chatting in the halls or over our on-tap cold brew, or popping out for a quick, collegial lunch. Jenner is certainly a place where collegiality reigns supreme.”
Why Work Here
Jenner & Block is known for its ability to secure major litigation victories for clients from the trial level through appeal in jurisdictions around the world; for its sophisticated corporate transactional practice; and for its unyielding commitment to public service. Clients from around the world trust Jenner & Block with their most complex and challenging matters.
Our mission is to exceed our clients’ expectations every day by providing the highest caliber legal counsel and advice; to contribute to the legal profession; to maintain our long tradition of public and community service; and to provide an unrivaled environment for superior talent. Located in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC, our more than 500 lawyers offer substantial experience across a broad range of legal areas. Throughout our more than a century of service, we have grown because of our dedication and unwavering commitment to our clients, to the bar, to our people and to public service. Leading independent outlets have recognized us as an elite law firm and among the top-tier firms most committed to pro bono service throughout the profession.
Diversity at Jenner & Block
Getting Hired Here
- “Top ten law school, excellent grades … The firm wants to maintain its down-to-earth, collegial culture and tends to recruit with that goal in mind.”
- “Extremely competitive for those in law school. Still very competitive for lateral associates, but there's more leeway for attorneys who come with the right experience. Still, even attorneys who come from schools outside the T14 are very bright and hardworking people.”
- “Jenner tends to hire from T14s and really values clerkships highly. Candidates who have particular interests in the more niche practice areas of the firm will be strong candidates as well. Particularly in DC, we have lots of specialized (as opposed to general interest) attorneys.”
- “Clerkship, prior work experience, personality, and diversity all seem to matter.”
Perks & Benefits