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ArentFox Schiff LLP

Unverified

Washington, DC

About

ArentFox Schiff is a Washington, D.C.-headquartered law firm with approximately 580 attorneys and offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other markets. The firm was formed in 2022 through the merger of Arent Fox (founded in 1942) and Schiff Hardin (founded in 1864), combining two historic practices into a platform with strengthened capabilities in intellectual property, food and beverage regulatory law, and government contracts. The firm generates profits per partner of approximately $1.7 million and has built distinctive niche practices that set it apart from similarly sized competitors.

ArentFox Schiff holds top-tier rankings in Chambers USA for Intellectual Property, Food & Beverage Regulatory, Real Estate, and Government Contracts. The firm's IP practice spans patent prosecution, trademark litigation, and trade secret disputes, with particular depth in the technology and consumer products sectors. Its food and beverage practice is one of the most recognized in the country, advising manufacturers, retailers, and restaurant chains on FDA compliance, labeling regulations, and product liability. The legacy Schiff Hardin platform contributes strong capabilities in energy, environmental law, and complex commercial litigation, while the legacy Arent Fox practice brings depth in real estate, sports law, and government contracts.

ArentFox Schiff uses a free-market assignment system. The interview process typically begins with a short screener of approximately 30 minutes, and candidates are encouraged to plan carefully how they present themselves and what questions they ask. The 2022 merger has created new opportunities for associates to access a broader range of practice areas and offices, and the firm is actively building its combined culture. Associates describe the environment as collegial and supportive, with a genuine commitment to mentorship and professional development.

The ArentFox Schiff merger brought together two firms with complementary strengths. Arent Fox's D.C. regulatory depth and IP practice with Schiff Hardin's Chicago litigation and energy capabilities. The resulting platform offers associates a combination of niche-leading practices and full-service breadth that neither legacy firm could provide independently. For students interested in IP, food and beverage regulation, or government-facing work in a firm that is still actively shaping its post-merger identity, ArentFox Schiff offers the opportunity to join a firm during a defining period of growth and cultural development.

Recruiting & Summer Program

Billable Hours

1,950 hours

Practice Areas & Rankings

Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

Practice AreaBandJurisdictions
HealthcareBand 1Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 1District of Columbia
Real EstateBand 1District of Columbia
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 1New York
Energy / InfrastructureBand 2Illinois
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 2Nationwide
EnvironmentalBand 2Illinois
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 2Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 2Nationwide
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 2Nationwide, District of Columbia
Transportation: Road (Automotive)Band 2Nationwide
Commercial LitigationBand 3District of Columbia
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 3New York
Food & Beverages: Regulatory & LitigationBand 3Nationwide
HealthcareBand 3California
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 3Illinois, New York
Labor & EmploymentBand 3California
Leisure & HospitalityBand 3Nationwide
Real EstateBand 3California: Northern
HealthcareBand 4District of Columbia
Labor & EmploymentBand 4Nationwide, District of Columbia
RetailBand 4Nationwide
White Collar DefenseBand 4Illinois

Firm Profile

Vault Rank (2026)

#80

AmLaw Rank (FY2025)

#91

Founded

1866

Chair / Managing Partner

Brian Waldman

Partners

162

Attorneys

~580

Partnership Track

8 years

Billable Hours Target

1,950 hours

Revenue (FY2025)

$666.4M

Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)

$1.2M

1st-Year Total Comp (2026)

$215,000

PPP (FY2025)

$1.7M

Offices (6 locations)

Washington DC, DC(HQ)
New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Visit firm website

Data sources: Financial data from AmLaw 200, FY2025. Practice area rankings from Chambers USA 2026. Summer program data from Chambers Associate 2026. Office locations from firm websites. Last verified: March 27, 2026. View our data methodology