Thoughts on PJ Solomon - 2021

My info is relatively recent as in past 5 years or so. If that’s acceptable please feel free to read on. If that’s too old for you, sorry for posting/commenting here. Nevertheless, I think they are a reputable bank that pays in line with other EBs/MMs. I think they are particularly strong in retail and/or restructuring. Also think they have a growing fintech/tech practice. I hope this bit is helpful for you. Good luck

Culture also may be one of the best among the EBs/MMs. Friendly place. Peter J seems great even still today

Culture is way less linear since they’ve been acquired by the French boys (Natixis). They’ve hired a ton more MDs and analyst hiring has lagged so you’ll get smoked until they fix that (as an SA you’ll be fine, they said they’re going to double SA headcount for 2022).

Another poster said this already but they do well in consumer in the MM range primarily and offer some cross border exposure (whether that’s good or bad I’ll let you decide). Exits will be primarily MM PE, maybe UMM PE if you have a strong background otherwise (usually Wharton kids could swing this, but if you don’t attend a top target you’re going face a tougher time).

Overall, what differentiated PJS was small, tight class, good deals in consumer and solid exits. Nowadays, unless you are Wharton, etc and get on good staffings, it’s really just another MM firm (think piper sans FIG, or Cowen sans HC).

Anyone know if the generalist program includes m&a/coverage groups as well as restructuring? Or is restructuring branched on its own?

I interviewed there not too long ago for a lateral spot and did not have a good experience. I spoke to quite a few people at different levels throughout the process and most of them seemed kind of... odd? and just unpleasant to deal with, I knew I would not want to work with them. Received an offer but ended up declining it for this reason. Also seems like they don't really work on the marquee type transactions they used to anymore given the changes in retail, which was always their strength. 

bump

I guess I can speak a little to this. My roommate this past year (senior in college at target) recruited full-time wayyyyyy off-cycle (like interviewed and accepted the job in late April). Apparently they are on a hiring binge for analysts after killing it during COVID. Also have a few friends who’ve worked there for a few years and rave about the culture. Pretty hard to beat the comp too.

Interacted with one of their employees at a restaurant/bar a few years back (wasn't applying for a position or anything). Super nice and sounded like a very down to earth place from how they described it.

Street base (85) but bonuses are above street

now 100k base. Very curious what this year's bonuses are

Their clean energy team is performing very well. They hired a couple of MDs with strong reputations in the sector.

I’ve seen them on a few large cap renewables deals, and I’ve been impressed with the analysts that I’ve met. A quick look shows that their analysts have recently gone to some of the top energy / infra PE funds and energy groups at megafunds.