Diversity

Different Perspectives. Richer Thinking. Creative Solutions.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Arent Fox, we believe that excellence and diversity go hand in hand. Diversity produces different perspectives, richer thinking, and creative solutions to the challenges our clients face. We are committed to seeking and retaining a varied group of attorneys and staff throughout the firm and believe that diversity is a strategic key to success.

Diversity & Inclusion Committee 

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is led by our Chair and includes key  members of  senior management. We pledge to recruit, retain, and promote lawyers of color, women, and LGBTQ lawyers, and to ensure that adequate firm resources are dedicated to their training, mentoring, coaching, and business development.

By The Numbers

  • 47% Promotion. Since 2001, nearly 50 percent of attorneys promoted to partner firmwide were women.
  • 35% Women. Women lawyers represent 35 percent of Arent Fox attorneys, including 26 percent of partners.
  • 21% Minority Lawyers. Minority lawyers represent more than 20 percent of the firm’s attorneys, exceeding the national average.
  • 50% Summer Associates. Since, 2006 the firm’s summer associate classes have been composed of nearly 50% minority and LGBTQ law students.
  • A Perfect Score. Arent Fox has consistently earned a perfect score of 100 in the Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign.
“Arent Fox embraces different ideas and perspectives. My colleagues know that working with a diverse group of attorneys can help us be better lawyers – and that is why we are all here.”
N. Christopher Norton
Partner and Chief Diversity Officer
Chris Norton, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer at Arent Fox

Our Initiatives

AFMAG

Arent Fox maintains a strong commitment to diversity and strives to create a workplace that embraces different perspectives and cultures. Our goal is to ensure that we continue to foster values of inclusion and respect. The Arent Fox Minority Attorneys Group’s mission is to mentor and support minority and diverse attorneys in critical areas such as career and client development, pro bono initiatives, and promotion and retention. We hope that by engendering a sense of community for all of our attorneys we will cultivate a long-term commitment to a fulfilling career at Arent Fox.

AFWomen

Arent Fox LLP advocates for women lawyers’ leadership firm wide, across industries, and within our community. We aim to promote professional development and foster business connections. The firm is dedicated to promoting its women lawyers through the Women’s Initiative, AFWomen. This commitment is reflected in the initiative’s three pillars, “Lead. Develop. Connect.”

OutFox

OutFox is a mentor program designed to help connect LGBTQ and allied lawyers, paralegals, and alumni at Arent Fox. OutFox works to foster a stronger professional and social network within the firm. The group meets periodically for social and networking events, serves as a sounding board for issues of interest or concern to LGBTQ employees, works to integrate new employees, and looks for opportunities to increase the firm’s visibility within the LGBTQ legal community.

 

Woman presenting to team in stylish office

This year, the firm will award four minority law students with a Diversity Scholarship and a salaried position in the firm’s summer associate program.

Download the Diversity Scholarship FAQ

Diversity Scholarship

Arent Fox is seeking applications for its annual Diversity Scholarship Program. The DC, LA, NY and SF offices will each award one second-year law student $20,000 and a salaried position. The scholarship will be paid in two installments: $10,000 during the second-year summer and another $10,000 payable when the student returns to Arent Fox as an associate after graduation.

The Firm will accept applications on a rolling basis from July 13, 2018 through 11:59 p.m. local time on August 15, 2018. Candidates may only apply to one office.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Arent Fox LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Applications for the 2019 Diversity Scholarship Program are now open.

To apply, please follow the links below to the respective office applications:

Eligibility Requirements

  • Second-year law student, in good standing, at an ABA-accredited law school in the US
  • Scheduled to graduate in 2020
  • Excellent college and law school academic performance
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated leadership qualities, work experience, and community involvement
  • Authorized to work in the US
  • Member of a diverse population that historically has been underrepresented in the legal profession
  • Must join the 2019 Arent Fox Summer Program after their second year of law school
  • Have a strong interest in joining the Firm as an associate after law school graduation

Required Applications Materials

  • Completed electronic Diversity Scholarship Application (you can only apply to one office)
  • Personal Essay (one page single or double spaced): How will you be Smart in Arent Fox’s World?
  • Resume
  • Undergraduate Transcript (unofficial is accepted)
  • Law School Transcript
  • Legal Writing Sample (5-10 pages, single or double spaced). Must be exclusively your own work. The sample may be from your legal writing course in law school.
  • Contact information of three professional or academic references. (Letters of recommendation are optional.)

Questions?

Please contact our Attorney Recruitment Department: