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Arnold & Porter
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We have received comments about how well some firms' part-time programs are
working. These comments are often anonymous and cannot be verified;
therefore, they should be viewed as unreliable and given no more weight than
gossip.
If you would like to comment on
this firm's part-time policies or on the comments themselves, please
click here.
Comments on the firm's part-time policy:
A&P has one of the best programs in the city. It
is used by partners and associates, and men have used it in
the past (including one male partner). In addition, attorneys
can work part-time for any number of reasons, not just caregiving. Here
are some details:
A&P has a written part-time policy that covers both associates
and partners. It offers proportional pay for proportional
work. There is no minimum number of hours attorneys must
work; however, working less than 30 hours per week affects the
attorney's benefits. The hours a part-time attorney agrees
to work includes both billable and non-billable time.
Part-time is available to entry-level associates. Part-time
associates stay on the partnership track, but a part-time schedule
could delay partnership consideration. Part-time attorneys
remain eligible for bonuses, which are pro-rated.
For attorneys in the D.C. office with children: A&P
has an on-site childcare center that is well-used and receives
good reviews. The offices in New York, Los Angeles and Northern
Virginia have access to off-site, emergency back-up child care
subject to availability.
While A&P good write-ups from national publications for
its quality of life and part-time program, talk to attorneys
who have worked part-time at the firm about how the program
works in practice. Reports have been received about supervising
attorneys who do not respect attorneys working part-time schedules,
and about part-time attorneys who work more than full-time hours.
A&P has a partner who is in charge of its part-time program,
which PAR considers a best practice.
As for job sharing, the NALP survey says, "this
situation has not arisen, however it would receive consideration."
The firm's comments regarding alternative work
options: "Arnold & Porter LLP is committed to offering
viable part-time schedules for attorneys. In reviewing requests,
the Firm will consider the general performance of the lawyer,
the availability of work which can be handled on a part-time schedule
and the views of the appropriate practice group(s). Although the
number varies, there are usually thirty-five to forty-five attorneys
firmwide working on a part-time basis at any given time. The Firm
also has a partner who serves as a Part-Time Advisor for associates.
The Advisor's function is to advise lawyers who are contemplating
part-time arrangements, to help those who want to go part-time
get the appropriate approvals, to check periodically with lawyers
who are working part-time to see how their arrangements are working
out, to work with the Management Committee to address any issues
with our part-time policy or its implementation (maintaining confidentiality),
and to make suggestions for improving part-time arrangements."
(NALP Survey)
In order to qualify for benefits, an attorney
must work at least 25 hours per week. The firm does have attorneys
who work fewer than 25 hours per week.
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia
(BADC) presented Arnold & Porter LLP with the 2004 Constance
L. Belfiore Quality of Life Award, honoring the firm for its family-friendly
policies and workplace policies.
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