Arnold & Porter

From the Arn-old to the new: Combining work for big-name clients and a cozy culture, A&P’s approach is winning over a fresh generation of attorneys…

About the Firm

If one thing stands out from our conversations with Arnold & Porter’s new recruits, it’s that the firm’s reputation precedes it. “I had known about the firm for many years,” one interviewee told us, while another described finding out in law school about itswork on “incredible” historic cases such as the Buffalo Creek Flood class action. Indeed, given A&P’s record of landmark wins stretching back to Gideon v. Wainwright in the early 60s, it’s no wonder associates have been impressed by its “reputation in the market as a firm that fought the good fight.”

However, this isn’t a firm that’s just living off old glories. If anyone doubts that A&P still has plenty of fight in it today, just take a look at its wealth of Chambers USA rankings. It’s rated in more practice areas than we could reasonably include here, so we’ll stick to some highlights at the national level, where it sits in the top band for antitrust, bankruptcy/restructuring, false claims act work, government contracts, healthcare, life sciences, privacy & data security and product liability.

“I was looking for a firm that had a great reputation but handled work I really cared about.”

A&P thus offers both a storied past and plenty of opportunities to transform the present, and it’s this mix that seems to really resonate with aspiring lawyers. “I was looking for a firm that had a great reputation but handled work I really cared about,” one junior explained, adding that “I felt like I connected with the people here the most.” Other strengths of the firm that really appealed to associates include its pro bono offering (more on that later), its close connections to D.C. politics, and its ongoing commitment to inclusion.

The overarching context for all this is an environment where our sources had real faith that they could thrive long-term. “It felt like it would be this really safe place to learn and grow as an attorney,” one told us, describing their confidence “that the people would be there to make sure you got relevant work and opportunities, but also be a safety net to support you and help you grow.”

Arnold & Porter is recognized as an Excellent Performer for Junior Satisfaction and a Strong Performer for Mid to Senior Satisfaction in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Summer Program

All summer associates spend the first week of their ten-week program in D.C. and the final week in New York. Summers arrive unassigned to any particular group and can try out work from a range of departments to explore where they would like to specialize long-term.

Project and case assignment is through a centralized system to keep the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, though “if you’re interested in a particular area, they try to assign you to that area.” Typically, each summer associate will also have a pro bono project.

There is also a big emphasis on getting to know your cohort socially. Recent group activities were described as “amazing,” and range from Alicia Keys concerts to pizza-making sessions. The small intake also meant that participants felt they were “not lost in a sea of names.”

Strategy & Future

One of the firm’s major initiatives is “strategic expansion on the West Coast,” managing committee member Arthur Luk tells us, and the launch of its new Seattle office forms a “very exciting” part of this. Currently, this office has corporate & finance, labor & employment, litigation and real estate practices, but it may expand further. The firm is also growing out its other regional offices, such as those in Boston, Chicago, and LA.

“Part of our Arnold & Porter brand is government service and having former government practitioners join our firm,” Luk adds. In the past year, the firm has added multiple partners with government experience to its ranks, including former US ambassador Barbara Leaf, who has joined the legislative and public policy practice.

A&P recently changed its partnership system by adding a non-equity tier. While feelings were mixed over the change, our sources appreciated how leadership “had a lot of feedback sessions and people took them up on it,” giving those affected a chance to talk through any concerns. “When the management has come to a decision,” one interviewee told us, “they like to tell associates as soon as possible, and that’s as much as we can ask for.”

Read more from Arthur Luk under the ‘Get Hired’ tab.

Arnold & Porter is recognized as a Strong Performer for AI Integration in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.with that.”

The Work

Arnold & Porter’s D.C. HQ takes new associates each year, as do the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Denver, Boston, and Seattle offices.

Each department has attorney practice managers who assign work, which associates liked because there are “people making sure you have good and interesting work.” Seniors can submit requests for particular juniors to assist on their projects. Matters are generally staffed with cross-office teams, based on availability and prior experience.

Arnold & Porter is recognized as an Excellent Performer for Work Allocation & Autonomy in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Career Development

Our sources were full of praise for the partners and senior associates who took them under their wing. For instance, one reported that “the associates have been amazing in really showing you the ropes and take the time to give you a redline back and explain why they’ve made this change.” On a more formal basis, juniors have “mentor pods” for their first two years which meet every other month and are a space to ask for advice.

As they become more senior, litigators take part in intensive deposition training and mock trial programs. More broadly, associates receive weekly emails with info on training opportunities available that week. Most sessions take place via Zoom, but some are in person in certain, larger offices. The firm also has its own app called 'Arnold & Porter University', which allows attorneys to access training that their practice group has flagged as important for their development, such as AI training.

There are dedicated attorney development personnel who act as a confidential professional development resource and help juniors obtain secondments and clerkships or go in-house. “They’re an excellent team who represent a lot of the firm culture overall,” one junior shared with us. “They really care about your development as a person, not just your output and what you’re bringing to the firm.” Even the most junior juniors are invited to the all-firm Zoom calls which lay out the requirements for partnership, and one enthused that “it’s really great to have that from so early on in my career.”

Arnold & Porter is recognized as an Excellent Performer for Career Development in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Hours & Compensation

200 hours of business development, recruiting, DEI activities and pro bono can count towards the overall target of 2,000 billable hours per year. Hitting this target unlocks bonuses. Thankfully, the consensus among interviewees was that there’s “plenty of work to go around,” so the target is generally achievable. When market conditions have affected workflow, seniors “have been really understanding of it” in the review process.

Associates are expected to spend 60% of their workdays in the office, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as the firm's anchor days. They liked this face time for providing informal mentorship opportunities, ranging from sitting in on calls to just enjoying a “chit chat” with coworkers.

And fitting in a life outside of work? “My work/life balance is very manageable,” one junior reassured us, noting that they had plenty of time to see family and friends.Add to that the market-rate compensation (“I’m definitely satisfied with that amount; it’s a lot of money!”) and associates reckoned they had a pretty sweet deal.

Arnold & Porter is recognized as an Excellent Performer for Benefits & Quality of Life in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Culture

Sometimes it can be hard to talk about a firm’s culture when that firm has offices across the country, as naturally each office will have a slightly different vibe. But while A&P has offices on the East Coast, the West Coast and many locations in between, some real consistencies in culture shone through in our interviews.

“When they say their doors are open, they really are.”

“Everyone is very happy to help out and share their knowledge and collaborate, and no one is too busy to step in and help out should the need arise,” something which associates across the US really appreciated. When juniors have questions or need a hand, “there’s never a shortage of people that are willing to talk to you and help you. When they say their doors are open, they really are.”

Interviewees also felt their personal lives outside of work were respected. “Everyone here does account for the fact that you’re working big law hours but you’re still human, and people are apologetic when you’re working weekend hours,” said one associate. “I’ve taken a couple of vacations and haven’t had to work on either of those.”

Arnold & Porter is recognized as an Excellent Performer for Culture in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Pro Bono

For those looking to pitch in on pro bono projects, an associate reported that “there are just so many that you can choose from; sometimes it’s honestly a little overwhelming!” Regular email blasts with opportunities make it “very easy to get involved and assist on a pro bono matter right from the start.”

“There are just so many that you can choose from, sometimes it’s honestly a little overwhelming!”

Associates are expected to do at least 20 hours of pro bono per year, though we heard that many exceed this. On the litigation side, juniors can get involved in immigration, criminal appeals, civil rights litigation and family and children’s rights cases, among other things.

Outside of litigation, they can help out at legal clinics for small businesses, family law or immigration. Some A&P attorneys staffed an election protection hotline during last year’s elections, with one reporting that it “was a really cool experience to be involved in, and I anticipate we’ll be doing it again next year.” Veteran discharge updates are “another popular thing the firm does.”

Our sources loved getting involved and felt it really added to their job satisfaction. For example, one told us: “I’ve worked past midnight for billable clients before and I haven’t felt as good about the work I’m doing as when I’m working on someone's death row’s petition which might be their last chance.”This sense of pride is also echoed at more senior levels. Arthur Luk confirms that commitment to pro bono is one of the three key pillars of the firm’s identity, describing it as a “core value” and “a strong reason why I think attorneys come to join Arnold & Porter.”

Arnold & Porter is recognized as The Elite for Pro Bono in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Inclusion

“The firm has really stayed true to wanting to do excellent work and wanting their people to feel part of a community that’s able to do that,” reckoned one insider. “It has continued to uphold the values it has always had.” Arnold & Porter’s affinity groups remain active, including WISE (Women’s Initiative for Success and Empowerment) and groups for queer and Jewish lawyers. Mentorship opportunities are also available through these groups.

A&P has various other resources to support their attorneys. For instance, the firm offers counselling services and on-site therapists, plus there’s an emergency childcare service available for parents when their usual plans fall through. “I’ve been really appreciative that the firm has been really unwavering in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said one attorney. “I think their position has been meaningful to a lot of folks.”