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22 December 2020Influential Women in IPMuireann Bolger

Arnold & Porter unveils $1m investment in D&I partnerships

Arnold & Porter, Kaye Scholer will invest $1m in three programmes to improve the access of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to successful legal careers.

The initiatives,  announced on December 17, involve partnerships with organisations that focus on the retention and advancement of black attorneys at law firms; increasing the pipeline of students of colour pursuing legal careers; and promoting equity in education.

According to the  American Bar Association's  National Lawyer Population survey, black, Latino, Native American and Asian Americans each represent 5% or less of active lawyers in the US.

The firm has partnered with the  National Bar Association (NBA) with the aim of supporting the retention and advancement of black attorneys at law firms.

New associates academy

Together, they will develop and implement an attorney advancement programme designed to support the retention, and accelerate the advancement, of black attorneys at the nation's largest law firms.

With a financial contribution and support from the  Arnold & Porter Foundation, the NBA will develop a tailored career programme through a new associate advancement academy.

The partnership will also create a new Arnold & Porter fellowship at the NBA to help design and implement the academy's programs.

“Arnold & Porter and the NBA believe that the first few years of a black associate's career are pivotal. The academy, which will draw associates from various law firms, will address three critical areas: career advancement, business development, and mentoring,” said a firm’s spokesperson.

The first class of the associate advancement academy will be launched during  NBA's 2021 National Convention.

Supporting diverse talent

Arnold & Porter will also launch a three-year partnership with non-profit organisation,  A Better Chance, to help promote interest in legal careers among diverse students.

A Better Chance works with talented students of colour and their families to access and succeed in college preparatory education, and to form a support network that provides guidance, awareness, skill-building, and enrichment opportunities. According to the organisation’s research, 96% of A Better Chance graduates enrol directly in college, compared with 24% of students of colour nationwide, while half of its alumni go on to earn graduate or professional degrees.

The firm will provide financial and programmatic support towards the organisation’s efforts to substantially increase the number of young people of colour who can assume positions of responsibility and leadership in US society.

Finally, the firm’s third partnership with the  Advancement Project National Office will address equity in education. This will support the Advancement Project National Office's stated mission to fight systemic racism in schools.

As part of its commitment, the Arnold & Porter Foundation will fund a full-time staff attorney position focused on educational civil rights.

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