Jones Day Does Not Have A Sense Of Humor

Jones Day’s letter to the editor:

Dear Ms. Chen and Mr. Press,

Although we expect gossip and little news or factual information when we pick up a tabloid magazine, we expect more when we read articles sponsored by the American Lawyer. According to your website, ALM considers “quality” and “integrity” to be “Core Values” in its reporting and coverage of legal news and events. ALM similarly promises that its publications will be of “the best quality . . . with the highest standards of accuracy, independence and integrity” (http://www.alm.com/about/core-values). We imagine that Vivia Chen strives to meet those same standards. The November 6, 2014 American Lawyer article “News and Gossip Roundup” (attached) fails even to approach those standards; it lacked quality, integrity, professionalism and judgment.

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By Above The Law

In that article, the American Lawyer purports to report on Jones Day’s recent hiring of seven Supreme Court clerks. Rather than recognizing those clerks for who they are – some of the most extraordinary young lawyers in this country – the American Lawyer chose instead to demean and insult them as “trim, perky and adorable” “pets.” The American Lawyer takes its insensitivity further by making light of the group’s diversity. Deriding the name that a parent gave a child or the name she grew up with is not reporting; it is insulting and falls well below the standards you espouse. The American Lawyer’s sexual innuendo – “wonder if they interbreed, too” – is certainly not worthy of print in an ALM publication that purports to hold itself to any standard of professional journalism.

Yes, Jones Day hired seven Supreme Court clerks this year and yes, they are “a diverse bunch.” That is factual. And, we are proud of both of those facts and the Supreme Court clerks we hired. But, the real news reflected in those facts is that for three years in a row an unusually high proportion of these gifted lawyers are choosing Jones Day. Perhaps it is due to Jones Day’s undying commitment to client service. Maybe it is the culture and environment that we believe is second to none. Maybe it is because Jones Day accepts and encourages diversity of people and their thoughts. That Supreme Court clerks would seek out a firm with a culture that permits them to continue to develop at the highest level and to represent clients with some of the most complex, challenging and high profile legal issues may not sell as gossip, but that is the real story.

Best,
Sharyl Reisman
Firmwide Chair of Recruiting

Jones Day Is Not Amused [The Careerist / The American Lawyer]
News and Gossip Roundup (November 6, 2014) [The Careerist / The American Lawyer]