The Culture of Jackson Walker
Meet JW
Since our founding in 1887, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas businesses. With more than 450 attorneys across six offices, JW is one of the largest firms in the state and offers comprehensive services in a broad range of areas. By remaining solely in Texas, we are able to provide excellent value for clients locally and globally.
Our Work
We pride ourselves on being the kind of attorneys clients enjoy working with. In fact, one-third of our legal work comes from clients who have been with the Firm for 10 or more years. Our clients know they can rely on us to handle virtually any matter of law, all while delivering personalized service, legal experience, and added value.
Above: Attorney breakdown by practice area
JW maintains a large global presence through our involvement with Globalaw, a network of firms with offices in the U.S. and over 58 cities internationally. Through Globalaw, attorneys can leverage relationships with member firms for reliable advice, co-counsel, and referrals when necessary.
Project Management | Our Solutions »
Our Results
We represent some of the biggest names in business. One of our most high-profile cases was the successful defense of Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Productions in an $11 million defamation suit brought by two Texas cattlemen. In addition, JW has represented TV personalities such as Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, among others.
Explore our representation of some notable clients:
- The majority interest sale of Texas fast-food chain Whataburger, which was listed among the top 10 most important deals in Texas during 2019
- An investor syndicate led by Eddie Margain, Matthew McConaughey, Marius Haas, Bryan Sheffield, David Kahn, and Toby Neugebauer in the ownership expansion of the Major League Soccer team Austin FC
- The purchase of Cielo Viesta Ranch—the largest U.S. ranch sale in 2017—and the sale of W.T. Waggoner Ranch to NFL team owner Stan Kroenke
Why JW
We take pride in providing a supportive, inclusive environment for all. A career at JW is all about opportunity. Here, you can build or expand your practice, maintain a work-life balance, and be part of a Firm where culture is more than a buzzword.
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Our Culture
Just as our pro bono program reflects the importance of community, our Diversity & Inclusion and Jackson Walker Women initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering diversity within our Firm and the legal profession.
Pro Bono | Ensuring Equal Access to Justice »
Diversity & Inclusion | Celebrating Perspectives »
JW2 | Elevating JW Women »
Our Benefits
We offer a competitive benefits package, which can be found on our JW Careers | Law Students page.
In addition, for attorneys who balance work and family responsibilities, JW provides:
- Back-up days for child and elder care
- An alternative work schedule policy
- Support for expectant mothers and parents from pregnancy / adoption through their return to practice, with up to 18 weeks paid / 6 weeks unpaid parental primary leave or 3 weeks paid parental secondary leave
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Firm Fit
We seek well-rounded, hard-working individuals who have achieved academic success, are confident, and possess an entrepreneurial spirit. JW looks for future partners who reflect those traits and who embrace and support the diversity of our practices, colleagues, and clients.
To prepare for a career at JW, law students should focus on doing well academically and establishing connections with their law school classmates. In addition to the core curriculum, participating in mock trial competitions or trial advocacy classes, moot court, legal writing classes, or transactional law classes or competitions can help law students prepare for practice.
Prior to the start of our Summer Associate Program, we ask participants to rank their practice area interests, which are considered by the city hiring partners, and—unless a strong preference is indicated—summer associates will have the opportunity to rotate through the various areas with a hiring need. Each area with a need has an attorney Work Assignment Coordinator who manages the project submissions and evaluates each summer associate’s current workload to ensure projects are distributed evenly. Summer associates are also assigned partner and associate mentors, who are responsible for guiding mentees and facilitating introductions to key attorneys within the Firm. We also host a mock trial or mock negotiation during the program. Our goal is for each summer associate to experience what life is like as a first-year associate at JW.
Careers and Attorney Development at Jackson Walker
Associate Development
JW connects with attorneys right from the start and fosters a supportive environment where they can learn from established leaders within the Firm.
Our Associate Mentor Program builds meaningful relationships between associates and experienced attorneys by focusing on achieving legal benchmarks, developing critical practice skills, and forming client relationships. Mentor selection occurs in the fourth quarter of the year using a tiered system (by class year) and incorporates associates’ preferences for mentor assignments.
With our broad range of clients and low associate-to-partner ratios, associates have the opportunity to gain high-value work experience early in their career and have extensive latitude in how they build their practice.
Our Business Development Mentor Program pairs associates with partners who excel in business development to help participants meet specific goals aligned with their personal career objectives over the course of a year. We continue to build upon this program with our Pathway to Partnership Program, which provides senior associates with information and resources needed to make a smooth and informed transition into partnership.
Our Emerging Leaders Program teaches associates skills to develop into great leaders and offers support and funding to take leadership positions in the community and within JW.
Whether your career grows at JW or you pursue an alternative path, the Firm’s investment in your success will prove invaluable. Jackson Walker also offers an alumni program and events for attorneys to remain connected.