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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Arnold & Porter [Adam Dobbs] Founded in 1946 by three former members of the FDR Administration, DC-based Arnold & Porter (“A&P”) has since established itself as both one of the nation’s most respected firms and a genuinely enjoyable place to practice law.
Founded in 1946 by three former members
with little interaction with colleagues are
First-years and lateral hires are assigned
of the FDR Administration, DC-based Arnold
better off applying elsewhere. After all, this
significant responsibility on multiple matters
& Porter (“A&P”) has since established itself
is a firm where Harry Katz, a senior litigation
and, frequently, direct client contact immedi-
as both one of the nation’s most respected
partner specializing in innovative technology
ately upon joining the firm. Although this may
firms and a genuinely enjoyable place to
cases, keeps a larger-than-life size Darth
seem daunting to freshly minted graduates,
practice law. A&P now boasts in excess of
Vader, complete with lightsaber, in his office.
the firm and each practice group has devel-
600 attorneys and, along with the addition of
oped and implemented practical training pro-
its latest branch in Brussels earlier this fall,
Throughout the United States, A&P enjoys a
grams that earn rave reviews from the most
the firm has satellites in Los Angeles, New
reputation as one of the top “quality of life”
important critics of all, the trainees.
York, London, Denver, Northern Virginia and
firms in the land. Consistently ranked as one
Century City to compliment the nearly 400-
of The Vault Guide’s top 25 law firms, A&P
Along with its commitment to offering all
attorney flagship DC office.
also garnered similar honors from Fortune
levels of personnel a collegial, inclusive work
earlier this year. New associates at A&P en-
environment, A&P is and has long been an
More than half of all A&P lawyers are litiga-
ter a culture rivaled by few firms anywhere in
industry leader on diversity matters. The win-
tors and the firm is renowned for its anti-
the world. Among the perks of working there
ner of numerous awards from minority and
trust, banking, IP and bankruptcy work. Just
are a nightly open bar, up to three months
women’s professional organizations, includ-
last month, A&P’s Northern Virginia office
of free lunches for first-year associates,
ing a place in Working Mother magazine’s
added respected litigation partner Douglas
complimentary laptops and, perhaps most
2002 listing of the “100 Best Companies for
P. Lobel, along with two associates and one
impressively, the complete lack of a billable
Working Mothers” and the 2002 Thomas L.
paralegal, to its litigation group. Mr. Lobel
hours requirement. A&P also earns kudos
Sager Award from the Minority Corporate
enjoys a fine reputation within regional and
from its employees for the available child-
Counsel Association, A&P offers full health
national legal communities and the addi-
care programs, base salary structure and an
coverage to domestic partners, twelve weeks
tion of his group greatly enhances the firm’s
art collection that includes works by Warhol
of paid maternity leave, six weeks of paid
abilities in the areas of telecommunications,
and Lichtenstein.
paternity leave and over 35 years of proven commitment to gay, lesbian and transgender
securities, financial services, as well as general commercial litigation.
A&P is also renowned as a place where
rights both within the firm itself and society
partners and associates generally work
as a whole.
Those interested in joining A&P should, first
cooperatively in an atmosphere of mutual
and foremost, enroll at a top law school, then
respect. “Screamers” are rare among the
Finally, A&P is as receptive to pro bono and
earn decent grades. Students at lesser insti-
partnership ranks and the lack of a billable
community service work as any firm in the
tutions wishing to take the “back door” into
hours requirement means that the average
United States. Associates need to bill 2,400
the firm had better hit the books because the
associate works between 46 and 55 hours in
hours in order to earn the ominously named
firm will only consider those at or near the
a typical week. Of course, this varies by prac-
“Pain Alleviation Bonus,” but unpaid work is
top of their class. Academics only get one’s
tice groups and tends to be cyclical, but the
allowed to count for up to 15% of this total.
foot in the door, however, as A&P’s recruit-
fact that the firm encourages its lawyers to
The firm’s dedication to pro bono matters
ing process is specifically designed with the
maintain a manageable schedule is certainly
begins at the top and, generally speaking,
firm’s laidback culture in mind. Personality
attractive to those wishing to have a life away
partners are not at all upset if an associ-
is a must and those that plan on becoming
from the office.
an automaton cranking out brief after brief
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ate delays assignments from them in order to complete a pro bono matter. Associates
LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
have been known to dedicate 500+ hours in less than six months to a single case and this firm-wide commitment to community work has garnered A&P countless awards, including The National Law Journal’s 2002 Pro Bono Award.
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