Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is a powerhouse in the legal world, known for its extensive practice areas, global reach, and commitment to pro bono work. Formed in 2017 through the merger of Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer, this firm boasts around 1,000 lawyers across 14 locations worldwide. With a history dating back to 1946, the firm has evolved into a leader in areas like antitrust, appellate litigation, and environmental law. Their dedication to pro bono efforts is evident, allowing up to 200 hours to count toward annual billable goals. Whether it's securing a $14 million judgment for Black Lives Matter protesters or offering adoption aid, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer stands out for its client-driven approach and emphasis on work-life balance.
Key Takeaways:
- Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, formed in 2017, has a rich history and global presence. It's known for its commitment to pro bono work, client-driven approach, and strong mentoring programs.
- The firm values work-life balance, diversity, and financial health. It offers benefits like telecommuting, adoption aid, and has a stable career path for its lawyers.
Formation and History
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP has a rich history and a unique formation story. Let's dive into how this powerhouse law firm came to be.
- Formation: The firm was formed on January 1, 2017, through the merger of Washington, D.C.-headquartered Arnold & Porter and New York City-based Kaye Scholer.
- History: The original firm, Arnold & Fortas, was founded in 1946 by Thurman Arnold and Abe Fortas, both former Yale Law School professors.
- Renaming: In 1947, Paul A. Porter joined the firm, and it was renamed Arnold, Fortas & Porter. Abe Fortas’ name was dropped from the firm’s moniker in 1965 after his ascension to the Supreme Court.
- Merger Details: The merger between Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer was announced in November 2016 and took effect on January 1, 2017.
- Post-Merger Branding: After the merger, the firm quietly reversed its post-merger branding efforts, scrubbing nearly all mention of ‘Kaye Scholer’ from its public image, changing its brand name, email addresses, and web domain.
Global Reach and Offices
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP isn't just a national firm; it has a significant international presence. Here’s a look at its global footprint.
- Headquarters: The firm has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with additional offices in major cities across the United States and internationally.
- Office Locations: The firm has offices in major cities such as Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; London, England; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Palo Alto, California; San Francisco, California; Seoul, South Korea; Shanghai, China; and Washington, D.C.
- International Presence: The firm’s international offices include locations in Brussels, Belgium; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Frankfurt, Germany (which was shut down in 2021).
Practice Areas and Notable Practices
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP offers a wide range of legal services. Their expertise spans numerous practice areas.
- Number of Lawyers: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer employs approximately 1,000 lawyers, making it one of the largest law firms in the world.
- Practice Areas: The firm practices in over 40 areas, including antitrust, appellate litigation, environmental, securities litigation, and cross-border work.
- Notable Practices: The firm is particularly well-known for its antitrust, appellate litigation, environmental, and securities litigation practices.
Commitment to Pro Bono Work
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is deeply committed to pro bono work, making a significant impact in various communities.
- Pro Bono Work: Arnold & Porter is committed to pro bono work, allowing up to 200 hours to count toward the annual billable goal and has won numerous awards for its efforts.
- Pro Bono Achievements: In 2020, the firm helped secure a $14 million judgment for 12 Black Lives Matter protesters who were victims of police brutality in Colorado. The matter took 18 months to settle and required over 14,000 lawyer hours.
- Notable Cases: The firm assisted the family of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper in obtaining the first posthumous presidential pardon in U.S. history and represented Ukrainian mail order bride Nataliya Fox against international marriage broker Encounters International in a landmark case.
- Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights: In 2022, Arnold & Porter was a founding member of the Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights, a coalition of U.S. law firms offering free legal services to people seeking and providing abortions in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
Client-Driven Approach and Mentoring
The firm’s client-driven approach and strong mentoring programs set it apart from many others.
- Client-Driven Approach: The firm is client-driven and industry-focused, with lawyers practicing across 30+ practice areas to help clients with complex needs stay ahead of the global market.
- Mentoring Programs: The firm focuses heavily on mentoring, with mentoring budgets, shadowing opportunities, and multiple formal mentors for junior associates.
Work-Life Balance and Benefits
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP values work-life balance and offers numerous benefits to its employees.
- Work-Life Balance: Arnold & Porter emphasizes work-life balance, offering benefits like 18 weeks of primary caregiver leave, 4 weeks of family leave, flex and/or reduced hours, and sabbaticals.
- Benefits and Perks: The firm provides various benefits and perks, including a $6-12K bar stipend, $0-7K salary advance, direct billing with preferred movers, and firm insurance of most valuables.
- Adoption Aid: The firm offers $5K in adoption aid to support its associates in their personal lives.
- Telecommuting Options: Arnold & Porter allows telecommuting to ensure that associates can balance their work and personal responsibilities effectively.
Diversity and Inclusion
The firm is committed to diversity and inclusion, with impressive statistics to back it up.
- Women Partners: As of 2022, women partners make up 8% of the U.S. lawyer headcount and 26% of the U.S. partnership, reflecting the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Top Feeder Schools: The firm recruits associates from top schools such as Georgetown University Law Center, Harvard Law School, and George Washington University Law School.
Financial Health and Rankings
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is financially robust and highly ranked in various categories.
- Average Lawyer Tenure: The average lawyer tenure at Arnold & Porter is 6.5 years, indicating a stable and long-term career path for its lawyers.
- Revenue Per Lawyer Change: The revenue per lawyer has increased by 4% over the past five years, reflecting the firm’s financial health and growth.
- Vault Rankings: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer has been ranked #33 in the Vault Law 100 and #2 in Best Law Firms for Environmental Law, #5 in Best Law Firms for Products Liability, and #7 in Best Law Firms for Pro Bono.
Hiring and Firm Culture
The firm’s hiring practices and culture make it an attractive place to work.
- Associates Hired: The firm hires associates from top law schools, with a focus on recruiting those with top grades, clerkships, work experience, drive, and diversity.
- Firm Culture: The firm culture is described as casual and down-to-earth, with a respect for family time and a commitment to professional development opportunities. However, there is room for improvement in firm leadership communication and responding to associate feedback.
Promotion and Career Development
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP offers a rigorous yet rewarding career path for its lawyers.
- Promotion Rate: The promotion rate at the firm is 2%, indicating a rigorous evaluation process for promotions.
- Client-Driven Approach: The firm is client-driven and industry-focused, with lawyers practicing across 30+ practice areas to help clients with complex needs stay ahead of the global market.
Final Thoughts on Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer stands out as a powerhouse in the legal world. Formed in 2017, this firm combines the strengths of Washington, D.C.-based Arnold & Porter and New York's Kaye Scholer. With around 1,000 lawyers, they cover over 40 practice areas, from antitrust to environmental law. Their global reach includes offices in major cities like London, Seoul, and Shanghai.
The firm’s commitment to pro bono work is impressive, allowing up to 200 hours to count toward billable goals. They’ve tackled notable cases, like securing a $14 million judgment for Black Lives Matter protesters. Benefits like telecommuting options and adoption aid show their focus on work-life balance.
Ranked highly in various categories, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer is a top choice for both clients and lawyers. Their dedication to diversity, mentoring, and professional development makes them a standout in the legal field.
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