Your Career, Professional Development, and Benefits
Most of our new associates are recent law school graduates, but others join us after gaining experience in the public or private sectors. While outstanding law school performance is a major factor in our hiring decisions, we also consider a candidate’s work experience and how they can continue their professional development at Arnold & Porter.
Attorney Integration
Joining a law firm is a big decision. We understand that having the opportunity to continually build your professional skills in a supportive community is incredibly important. We offer a variety of programs designed to help lateral attorneys become part of our Arnold & Porter team.
New and Lateral Associate Orientation: All new and lateral associates participate in an orientation program that introduces them to the firm, their office, and their practice group.
New and Lateral Associate Lunch Program: During an attorney's first three months, we sponsor one-on-one lunches with other firm attorneys as an informal way to network with many different attorneys in their office.
Formal Training: We believe exceptional training is the foundation of a successful career. Our associates learn directly from accomplished attorneys whose diverse styles and perspectives enrich the practice of law. In addition, our Professional Development Team offers annual programs that address both legal and practice-specific skills, as well as broader professional training, including public speaking, client communication, persuasive writing, marketing, and business development. Attorneys also have access to external online and live programs, as well as Arnold & Porter University, our proprietary in-house resource. Through interactive workshops such as Deposition Skills Training and Trial School, participants gain hands-on experience in more advanced legal skills, preparing them for sophisticated work opportunities.
Retreats: Retreats are offered throughout an associate’s career at the firm, with programming that addresses the skills and issues that accompany each stage of their career.
Business Development: Opportunities are provided for associates to have exposure to and participate in the long-term strategic business goals of the firm, as well as the short-term objectives aimed at securing ongoing work by practice area. This ranges from drafting client pitches to professional presentations and writing articles for industry publications, among other activities.
Court Training: We develop and enhance the trial advocacy skills of our attorneys through real-world courtroom experience. We provide the opportunity to obtain counseling and trial experience in the courtroom while being supervised by experienced litigation counsel.
Appellate Program: Starting with our storied U.S. Supreme Court representation in Gideon v. Wainwright, which established the right to counsel for the poor, through precedent-setting wins today, Arnold & Porter has a proud tradition of appellate advocacy. With support from partners and counsel, associates take a leading role in appeals, often briefing and arguing appellate cases.
Career Development: We offer in-house career coaches who are former practicing attorneys dedicated to providing personalized, 1:1 career counseling to Arnold & Porter attorneys. Their objective is to provide a confidential space where attorneys can critically assess their individual career trajectory and define both short- and long-term career goals.
Mentoring: Our formal mentoring program for all associates includes peer mentoring, partner/counsel mentoring, and group mentoring. As associates progress through their careers, the mentoring program evolves to meet their changing needs. Additionally, individual and group events are planned throughout the year to provide opportunities for social interaction and networking. We also have several affinity groups, which promote and provide formal and informal mentoring.
Work Assignments: Associates are encouraged to take on meaningful responsibility from the start, often managing multiple matters and building direct client relationships early. This involves contributing to strategy and execution, drafting agreements and briefs, taking depositions, preparing disclosures, and engaging with agencies and clients. Partners and practice managers coordinate projects to ensure broad exposure and meaningful collaboration with experienced attorneys.
Associate Shadowing Program: Each associate is offered up to 100 hours per calendar year to participate and observe more experienced attorneys during activities such as hearings, trials, or client meetings.
Evaluations: Associates receive a formal evaluation annually and have an opportunity to discuss their evaluation with a member of the firm's Global Evaluation Committee.
Career Development Meetings: Associates have the opportunity to meet individually with their practice group professional development leaders and other designees from the group to discuss their ongoing development needs, including training, mentoring, and work assignments. For more senior associates, growth and advancement opportunities are also discussed.
Associate Participation in Firm Management: Associates sit with partners and counsel on our Hiring, Pro Bono, Ethics and Practice, Well-Being, and Summer Associate committees. We also have a Committee of Associates, elected by the associates, to enhance communication regarding firm management issues. Arnold & Porter’s Global Co-Chairs share the firm's financial results and business plans with all associates in periodic meetings. To most effectively meet the professional development needs of our attorneys, the aforementioned programs are periodically evaluated and are subject to change.