Arnold & Porter and the National Bar Association Announce New Collaboration

Partnership Will Help To Strengthen and Diversify the Promotion Pipeline at the Largest US Law Firms

Washington, DC, December 17, 2020 — Arnold & Porter and the National Bar Association (NBA) announced today an attorney advancement program specifically designed to support the retention, and accelerate the advancement, of Black attorneys at the nation's largest law firms. With a financial contribution from the Arnold & Porter Foundation, and programmatic support from Arnold & Porter, the NBA will design and implement the Associate Advancement Academy.

"The National Bar Association is thrilled by this historic partnership with Arnold & Porter. Without a doubt this program will help so many of our country's young Black lawyers at our nation's largest law firms. I am so proud to be leading the NBA during the creation of the Associate Advancement Academy and want to thank Arnold & Porter for its proven commitment to racial equity. This is a shining example of that commitment," said NBA President CK Hoffler.

"Arnold & Porter made a commitment that we would intensify our efforts as a firm to identify more opportunities to invest in Black attorneys internally and across the legal profession," said Richard M. Alexander, the firm's Chairman. "Our partnership with the National Bar Association will advance this critical objective."

"Attrition rates for Black attorneys remain high, and Black women remain one of the most underrepresented groups in elite law firms. While I have been blessed to ascend from summer associate to partner while remaining at the same firm, my story is not common," noted Sheila S. Boston, a partner at Arnold & Porter and current President of the New York City Bar. "We all need to invest in the enormous talent we already have and make sure we are nurturing the careers of young Black attorneys. I am truly thrilled that two organizations that have been anchors in my professional success are partnering on such an important initiative."

Arnold & Porter and the NBA believe that the first few years of a Black associate's career is pivotal. The Academy, which will draw associates from major law firms, will address three critical areas: career advancement, business development, and mentoring. The first class of the Associate Advancement Academy will be launched during NBA's 2021 National Convention. Arnold & Porter will fund a new fellow position at the NBA who will help design and implement the Academy's programs.

Contact

Issara Baumann, Senior Media Relations Manager
+1 202.942.6682
Issara.Baumann@arnoldporter.com

Michael Peery, National Bar Association
+1 312.217.2260
Mlp@lengarmedia.com

About Arnold & Porter

With nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing in 14 offices around the globe, Arnold & Porter serves clients across 40 distinct practice areas. The firm offers 100 years of renowned regulatory expertise, sophisticated litigation and transactional practices, and leading multidisciplinary offerings in the life sciences and financial services industries.

The Arnold & Porter Foundation was set up to further advance our efforts toward equality and justice, is a tax-exempt private foundation that provides scholarships to minority law students, funds fellowships for recent law school graduates at tax-exempt organizations, and awards grants to other charitable and educational organizations

About the National Bar Association

The mission of the NBA is to advance the science of jurisprudence; improve the administration of justice; preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession; to promote professional and social intercourse among the members of the American and the international bars; to promote legislation that will improve the economic condition of all American citizens, regardless of race, sex or creed in their efforts to secure a free and untrammeled use of the franchise guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and to protect the civil and political rights of the citizens and residents of the United States.

To learn more about the NBA, visit www.nationalbar.org.