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The Culture

Arnold & Porter welcomes individuals of all backgrounds who are drawn to excellence, collaboration, and impact to apply for positions with us. The diversity of our lawyers and professional staff strengthens our culture and sharpens our service to clients across the globe.

We take an intentional, proactive approach to expanding access to the legal profession and ensuring Arnold & Porter is a place where talent from many paths can envision a future. Our efforts include:

  • Participating in career development programs and recruiting initiatives that broaden opportunity;
  • Providing scholarships and informal mentoring opportunities to law students; and
  • Engaging with affinity-based law student organizations to build relationships rooted in inclusion and belonging.

We seek to create an environment where people are supported, challenged, and empowered to thrive.

Finding Balance

We strive to offer our attorneys and professional staff a flexible and comfortable work environment so that they may balance the demands of their careers with their personal interests and obligations. Examples of ways we promote a positive and comfortable working environment.

  • Part-Time Policy: Attorneys and staff who work at least 20 hours per week qualify for health and welfare benefits. 
  • Parental Leave Policy: We provide 18 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child for the primary caregiver, and 12 weeks paid leave for the secondary caregiver. Associates may use unpaid leave to extend their leave for up to one year.
    Our gender-neutral parental leave policy grants primary caregiver leave to either parent, provided they are the sole caregiver at home during work hours. 
  • Childcare: We have a National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited Children’s Center in our Washington, D.C. office for up to 62 children. All of our domestic offices offer emergency back-up care. Employees are eligible for up to 15 days of care per family, per calendar year.
  • Critical Caregiver Leave: To assist those who need to take leave to care for an immediate family member, we provide up to six weeks of paid leave, subject to eligibility, approval, and appropriate certification(s).
  • Domestic Partner Benefits: Domestic partners and their children are eligible for coverage under our medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance programs.
  • Fitness Promotion: Our "Healthy Incentive Program" provides a monetary incentive to stay fit and healthy. We also offers a variety of health and fitness benefits, which vary by office, that are free to all. 
  • Well-Being: We value and prioritize the well-being of everyone within our  Arnold & Porter community, including their physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, and social well-being. Associates who participate in the firm’s regular well-being programs are eligible for up to 25 hours of well-being credit. 
  • Family-Friendly Events: Throughout our firm, we host a variety of family-friendly functions including “Take Our Kids to Work Day,” summer picnics, a Halloween parade, and holiday parties.
  • Garden Room: All of our offices have a "Garden Room," where attorneys and professional staff can gather for refreshments and social connection on a regular basis.

Valuing Diversity

Diversity & Inclusion are core to who we are at Arnold & Porter and how we practice law. We are committed to fostering a professional environment grounded in dignity, respect, and fairness, where every individual is valued for their unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions. We strive to create a culture in which people are supported in their growth and are encouraged to realize their full potential. Our commitment includes promoting equal opportunity, maintaining a workplace free from discrimination, and holding ourselves accountable for continuous progress. Inclusion is an ongoing practice that strengthens our people, our culture, and our service to clients. 

Building Community

One of the hallmarks of the Arnold & Porter community is our commitment to projects in the local communities where we have offices. Through our firmwide Community Service Program, we offer volunteer activities that range from one-time projects (e.g., painting schools or building houses) to recurring opportunities (e.g., staffing food banks or tutoring). Every employee is provided with one paid day off per year to engage in a pre-approved community service activity of their choosing.

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