Voluntarily formed attorney affinity groups at Arnold & Porter LLP serve as support networks for minorities; women; lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT). These groups meet throughout the year and help the firm identify ways to enhance the professional experience of these groups. The firm supports their efforts through periodic lunches, social events, and professional development initiatives. 

• Minorities at Arnold & Porter (MAP) hosts periodic lunches and meetings to discuss issues of common concern and foster informal mentoring relationships. MAP partners have served for years as informal mentors to our associates, and in 2006, they instituted a more formal mentoring program. Additionally, each year MAP hosts a retreat for minority attorneys at Arnold & Porter to discuss minority recruitment, development, advancement, and retention efforts. Minority clients and alumni are invited to attend to offer their perspectives and interact with our minority associates and partners.
• Women Lawyers at Arnold & Porter (WLAP) is the affinity group for women attorneys. WLAP focuses on six specific areas for women in the firm, including work/life balance, professional development, business development, community building, firm integration, and external opportunities. WLAP's agenda for 2006-2007, involving women attorneys in our offices worldwide, included a presentation by outside speakers on Taking the Firm's Women's Initiative to the Next Level and a panel of the firm's partners and associates regarding Developing Your Advocacy Style. In addition, WLAP utilizes webcast trainings, including a business development training Women Rainmaking: The Clients Speak.
• LGBT Lawyers was founded a decade ago at Arnold & Porter to focus on issues of interest to partners, counsel, and associates who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, or intersexed. Among other things, the group has been instrumental in developing the firm's pro bono practice with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and other organizations focused on combating discrimination in the LGBT community. In addition, LGBT Lawyers provides mentoring opportunities and sponsors social events, including an event for our Summer Associates, and provides a forum for discussion of LGBT issues in the workplace and in the law. More information is available for those who are considering working at Arnold & Porter. Testimony before the American Bar Association, along with documentation of the firm's commitment to a welcoming environment for LGBT lawyers, is also available for download.
• A group of parents meets from time to time to share ideas, discuss the dual parent/professional role and to provide support and advice to one another. 

Arnold & Porter LLP is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, veteran’s status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our firm's policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. To achieve our goal of equal opportunity, Arnold & Porter maintains an affirmative action plan through which it makes good-faith efforts to recruit, hire, and advance in employment qualified minorities, females, disabled individuals, and covered veterans.  EOE M/F/V/D.

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