AFS Fellows Program
Leadership Is a Choice, Not a Title
AFS Fellows is a three-year leadership development program designed to help foster skills and forge lasting relationships across the firm. Since 2017, ArentFox Schiff attorneys with diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference have taken part in this novel initiative.
Year One Fellows attend a weekend retreat where they learn key concepts of effective leadership and gain insights into personal leadership styles through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Skillscope 360-degree assessment.
Year Two Fellows get a behind-the-scenes look from current and former firm leaders at what it’s like to lead at ArentFox Schiff, strategies for overcoming challenges, and the importance of protecting a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
Year Three Fellows identify a meaningful issue at the firm and suggest a strategy to improve it. They spend the final year of the program implementing the strategy and reporting on their progress.
Foundational Pillars of AFS Fellows
Partnership and Leadership Are Not the Same
While a partner can certainly be a great leader, there is no automatic correlation between the two. Anyone — regardless of title, position, or length of service, can be a great leader. Everyone must be empowered to share great ideas and solutions to problems as they arise.
Leadership Can Be Taught
Many believe that leadership is innate. This is a dangerous misperception. First, the traits people usually refer to when describing a “natural born leader” relate more to their stage presence and physical characteristics than their ability to articulate a clear and positive vision for themselves and others. This line of thinking also perpetuates implicit bias and must be avoided.
Leadership Matters
At its core, leadership is where cultures are won or lost; morale rises or falls; and vision is gained or sacrificed. Leadership is not relegated to those elected or appointed to a titled position — everyone can and should make a difference. We can all lead from where we are.
Without Diversity, You Cannot Lead
A leader must always include and empower different voices. Whether setting an internal vision for the future or coming up with a practical, real-world solution for a client, the dialogue must include voices that reflect as many different experiences and viewpoints as possible. The Fellows Program, therefore, must not only reflect the diverse individuals at AFS — it must challenge its participants to perpetually ask, “what voices are missing from the discussion” and how can we meaningfully add them to the conversation.
AFS Fellows News
- How Law Firms Are Leveraging Leadership To Build Positive Cultures And Address Burnout, Forbes
- Arent Fox Partner On Program Fostering New Firm Leaders, Law360
- Arent Fox Announces 2021 AF Fellows Class
- Scott Peeler Talks With Above the Law About the Arent Fox Plan To Foster Leadership
- What Practice Leaders Should be Doing to Advance Diverse Talent
