Jones Day's Black Box Remains Shut Tight: "Savignac v Jones Day" Settled

 First, the gender bias lawsuit "Tolton, et al. v Jones Day" collapsed. That had embedded hope of a jury trial which would break open Jones Day's black box. 

Now, the lawsuit about equity in fathers' parental leave "Savignac v Jones Day" has been settled. The trial had been scheduled for November of this year. Bloomberg Law reports: 

"The couple [Marc Savignac and Julia Sheketoff], Jones Day, and three of the firm’s partners filed their stipulation of dismissal, stating all claims in the case have been dismissed with prejudice, on Tuesday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia."

Gone for now is the potential of insight into what goes on in those law firms' black boxes. It is easy to speculate that Jones Day didn't welcome increased scrutiny at a time when more of its partners are leaping into Trump Administration 2.0. Some may recall the prominent role Jones Day partner Don McGahn (he's back at the firm) had in Trump 1.0.

The settlement is disappointing for those concerned, as LawFuel notes, that the black box concept is gaining attention and momentum in law firms. Recently Paul Weiss adopted the confidential approach to partner compensation, moving away from modified lockstep. This is a time when the spread between what star equity partners and other equity partners are being compensated is widening.

Supposedly the lack of transparency about who is paid how much can lessen internal tensions among partners and stand-alone discontent about individual compensation. However, lawyers at Jones Day have told me, when coaching, that the trick to override the secrecy is to tap into networks and find out what other lawyers at other firms are pulling down. Next, you connect the dots. Then you might decide to leave. An experienced lawyer with a book of business is always in demand. 

So, here we are again: Jones Day succeeds in heading off making public the dynamics of a black box system. We watchers of both "Tolton" and "Savignac" feared this. The firm has been a magician in getting what works for its branding and business.

Is the life you’ve known collapsing? As your intuitive career coach/tarot reader I guide you to what could be next. One door closes, another one can open. Free confidential consultation. If we work together, fees are what you can afford. To connect: Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). In-person and remote.


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