Arnold & Porter's New York Office Honored For Diversity Efforts By MCCA For Second Time
NEW YORK, November 3, 2005 – The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) yesterday presented a 2005 Thomas L. Sager Award to the New York office of Arnold & Porter LLP. This is the eighth time in the past six years that MCCA has recognized the firm’s efforts to improve the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and minority lawyers. It is the second time the New York office has received the award for the Northeast region.
“We are very appreciative of this recognition,” said Michael Oshima, who heads Arnold & Porter’s New York office Diversity Committee. “The Sager Award symbolizes values that are very important to us as a firm--the treatment of individuals with dignity and respect and the recognition of the contribution that each person makes as an individual.”
The number of minority lawyers in the New York office has increased by 150% since 2000, compared to an increase of 19% for attorneys overall in the same period. Of particular note is the office’s strong associate numbers: 27% are minorities and 58% are women. This year the office is welcoming a new associate class that is 47% women and 20% minorities. Arnold & Porter’s New York office also was recognized for spearheading the development of a diversity web page for the firm that was recognized in Diversity and The Bar magazine.
Arnold & Porter LLP has been recognized nationally and repeatedly for its diversity accomplishments within the legal profession and overall. It has been named three times to the FORTUNE magazine list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” and six times to Working Mother magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.” It was the only law firm on the Working Mother list in 2004 and 2005. Arnold & Porter also received the 2000 GAYLAW Ally for Justice Award and is the only law firm GAYLAW has ever honored. In addition to six previous Sager Awards, Arnold & Porter is the only law firm ever awarded MCCA’s Employer of Choice Award.