Law Students
We seek bright, talented students from diverse law schools throughout the country. We look for students who are near the top of their class, and possess strong communication, leadership, writing and analytical skills.
How We Hire
Please click on Current Opportunities to view a list of openings for law students and to submit your online application. The online application process is our preferred method for receiving employment applications. For any other questions, please contact the appropriate office:
Employment Contacts:
Washington, DC
Arent Fox LLP
Attn: Libby Tracy
Attorney Recruitment and
Development Manager
1050 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
New York
Arent Fox LLP
Attn: Lisa Visconti
Attorney Recruitment Manager
1675 Broadway
Manhattan, NY 10019
Arent Fox LLP
Attn: Rachel Snitkoff
Attorney Recruitment Coordinator
1675 Broadway
Manhattan, NY 10019
Los Angeles
Arent Fox LLP
Attn: Kimberly Harrell
HR/Benefits Manager
555 West Fifth Street
48th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Summer Program
The Arent Fox Summer Program is our primary source for recruiting entry-level associates. Summer associates perform substantive legal work, receive extensive training and timely feedback and have ample opportunities to socialize with lawyers. Their experience closely mirrors life as a junior associate, and the program is geared to give summer associates a realistic view of the legal profession.
The Work Routine
Rotations: Summer associates are asked their preferences through each of our departments and practice areas before starting work. In Washington, DC, we offer rotations— business, litigation and regulatory. We also offer a patent concentration for students with appropriate technical backgrounds.
In Los Angeles and New York, summer associates do not formally rotate but work with lawyers in all departments throughout the summer.
Monitors: Mid-level associates called monitors coordinate summer associates’ workflow. After consulting with lawyers on specific projects, monitors assign work to the summer associates. Monitors help summer associates gain exposure to a range of lawyers and practice areas and seek out projects that match summer associates’ interests.
Fundamentals 101: Summer associates participate in a legal writing clinic and a two-day deposition workshop. We also encourage lawyers to involve summer associates in “live” projects such as negotiations, depositions, hearings or closings.
The Bottom Line: Members of the Employment Committee evaluate summer associates and make offer decisions. Evaluators read summer associates’ written projects and review evaluation forms submitted by assigning lawyers.
Summer associates have at least two formal review meetings with their evaluators. Each summer associate is also assigned a reader—a partner or counsel who offers feedback on writing skills throughout the program.
All Work, No Play—No Way: Arent Fox hosts a variety of events that allow summer associates and lawyers to socialize in a less formal environment. Some past events have included concerts, cooking classes, crab feasts, sailing trips, sporting events and wine-tastings. All activities are optional and guests are welcome at most outings.
Professional Development
Arent Fox knows that to become successful, lawyers need to develop strength in a broad range of competencies, including:
- Building strong professional relationships
- Managing people, stress and complex transactions
- Exhibiting good judgment and sound instincts
- Mastering the ability to sell their expertise
At Arent Fox, lawyers are offered the opportunity to develop and strengthen these qualities through training, mentoring, evaluation and advancement. We encourage lawyers to be actively involved in their own development and take advantage of resources and opportunities provided to achieve their professional goals.
Arent Fox offers many career-enriching opportunities, featuring our Stars program:
Stars: Turning today’s promise into tomorrow’s stars
Arent Fox’s Stars Program promotes professional development and stellar achievement by addressing many aspects of legal education and reaching different audiences throughout the firm.
Highlights of the Stars program:
Law Firm Literacy: Addresses topics related to the business of law firms, the nuts and bolts of managing a law practice and the art of surviving and thriving in a law firm. Programs include: Law Firm Economics 101, Nuances of Recording Time, and Partner Compensation.
Marketing/Client Development: Helps develop the skills, contacts and resources necessary to effectively market the firm’s services to new clients and to support and expand its existing client base. Programs include: Making Time for Marketing, Understanding Client Needs and Finding a Marketing Style that Works For You.
Practice Based Skills: Develops expertise within practice areas and develops firm-wide core skills. Firm-wide skills programming includes: Legal Writing Workshops & Clinics, Oral Communication Seminars and Coaching Sessions, Financial Seminars and Negotiations programs.
Other career-enriching opportunities that the firm offers include:
- Hands-on training with experienced partners
- Biannual evaluations
- Formal mentoring program
- Career Coaching Program
Rewards
Compensation
Attracting and retaining top talent in the legal field is a key to Arent Fox’s success. Our compensation philosophy rewards contributions to our clients and reflects the competitiveness of the legal marketplace. Our compensation package includes two components: base salary and bonus. Annual salary increases and bonus distribution are weighted on individual performance, growth and development. Associates are also eligible for productivity, cash and merit bonuses. Judicial clerks and incoming first-year associates who have passed the patent bar prior to joining the firm earn a signing bonus.
Advancement
Associates are hired with the expectation that they have the potential to advance to partnership. As a general rule, an associate is eligible for partnership eight years after graduation from law school and five years after joining the Arent Fox.
Benefits
Arent Fox offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package.
- Health and insurance plans: Medical plans are offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield (Washington, DC) and Oxford (New York), dental insurance is offered through MetLife. Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
- Financial savings: 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, and 529 College Savings Plan.
- Leaves of absence: Short-term disability, parental leave, bereavement, military and jury duty. Arent Fox complies with all aspects of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Voluntary programs: Supplemental life insurance (for employee, spouse and child), supplemental long-term disability, long-term care and pet insurance.
Work/Life Balance
To be successful in your career, we believe you must also be successful in life. Arent Fox understands the need to balance a busy professional life with commitments outside of work. In addition to a full complement of employee benefits, we offer the following programs to help make working seem a little less like work:
- Alternate work schedules, including part-time
- Paid time off
- Financial education programs
- Domestic partner benefits
- Employee assistance plan
- Competitive maternity and paternity leave
- 529 College Savings plans
- On-site gym (Washington, DC office)
- Back-up childcare (Washington, DC office)
Hours Standard
Associates are expected to work at least 1,950 billable hours, 150 hours of which may be approved pro bono, firm representation or strategic planning hours.
Part-Time Schedules
Associates may work on a part-time basis with pre-approval. The part-time schedule will be based on the needs of the associate and Arent Fox and must meet certain hours requirements. Part-time associates receive the same insurance benefits and consideration for advancement, compensation increases (pro-rated), and bonuses (pro-rated) as full-time associates.
Awards/Recognitions
- Arent Fox LLP Named a Best Law Firm for Women For Second Straight Year by Working Mother Magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
- Arent Fox Earns Perfect Score in 2010 Corporate Equality Index
- Vault Ranks Arent Fox Second Nationally for Best Law Firms for Diversity
- Arent Fox Chosen One of '50 Best Places to Work in Greater Washington' by Business Journal
- Vault Rates Arent Fox Among Top Firms For Women
- The "Write" Way to Succeed, by Arent Fox Member Karen Candreva, winner of the 2005 Burton Award
© 2012 ARENT FOX LLP