Arnold & Porter's Diversity Initiatives Recognized By Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Only Law Firm in Mid-Atlantic Region to Receive Sager Award in 2008

WASHINGTON, DC, May 21, 2008 - The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) announced that Arnold & Porter LLP's Washington office will receive a Thomas L. Sager Award in recognition of the firm's efforts to improve the recruitment, retention and promotion of minority lawyers. Arnold & Porter is the only law firm in the Mid-Atlantic region to be so honored in 2008. The award will be presented at MCCA's Mid-Atlantic Region Diversity Dinner on June 19 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.

"We are honored to receive this award from the MCCA," said Managing Partner Richard M. Alexander. "Diversity has long been one of the core values of Arnold & Porter. We are committed to continuing this legacy to ensure that our lawyers and employees reflect the diversity of backgrounds that will better enable us to serve the interests of our clients and the communities in which we operate."

"Arnold & Porter has a strong commitment to programs and policies geared to attract and retain a diverse group of lawyers and employees," said William Cook, partner and head of the Diversity Committee at Arnold & Porter. "We want to provide a welcoming environment for everyone, one where each individual is treated with dignity and respect and given the opportunity to thrive professionally."

Arnold & Porter has a comprehensive program in place throughout all levels of the firm to continually strengthen its diversity efforts. The hiring of women and minority candidates at the associate, counsel and partner levels is a major focus of the firm's recruitment efforts. The firm's diversity efforts include strong mentoring programs; support for affinity groups for women, minorities and LGBT attorneys; mandatory diversity training of all employees; and a part-time work policy for employees and lawyers. In addition, women, minority and/or LGBT attorneys serve on all of the firm's key committees including the Policy Committee, the Management Committee and the Diversity Committee.

New initiatives in 2007-2008 include establishing an "on ramp/off ramp" policy which permits attorneys to take an unpaid leave of absence for up to three years; increasing maternity and adoption leave to 18 weeks; organizing a new parent mentor program; implementing a minority junior associate forum; focusing diversity efforts within each practice group led by discussions with firm leaders; adding a new minority recruiting event in the fall; holding a "recruiting tips" panel for local minority law school students; and creating a senior attorney program that enables attorneys who have not followed the traditional associate timeline to join the firm and play a meaningful role.

Arnold & Porter's Washington office received MCCA Sager Awards in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2003 and 2005, the firm's New York office was also recognized with a Sager Award. In 2001, MCCA named Arnold & Porter an "Employer of Choice." The Sager Award, named in honor of MCCA Board of Directors member and DuPont Company Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Thomas L. Sager, is given to law firms that demonstrate sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of minority lawyers.