Ten Years of Leading From Where You Are
The AFS Fellows Program is an industry first, three-year leadership development initiative designed to 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 program, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary with the 2026 class. Through a structured curriculum, Fellows strengthen their leadership capabilities, gain insight into the firm’s strategic direction, and contribute to shaping its future.
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.
Fellows get a behind-the-scenes look from current and former firm leaders at what it’s like to lead at the ArentFox Schiff, strategies for overcoming challenges, and the importance of protecting a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
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.
It Is Not About Titles 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 mistake. 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.
The Power of Empowerment A leader must always include and empower different voices. Whether setting an internal vision for the future or developing a practical solution for a client, the dialogue must include perspectives shaped by a wide range of experiences and viewpoints.
1 in 5 AFS Attorneys at the firm are AFS Fellows.
60 AFS Fellows have been elevated to Income Partner.
10 AFS Fellows have been elevated to Equity Partner.
50% Of firm industry groups are led by AFS Fellows.
80% Ten-year retention rate.
500+ More billable hours are averaged by AFS Fellows Associates.
Annie Chang Lee “The Fellows Program teaches us that true leadership is not about where you sit in an organization, but how you show up for it—by investing in others, creating opportunity, and working together to make this firm stronger than when we found it.”
Allison K. Pfeifle “The Fellows Program is an investment the firm makes in its lawyers and in its next generation of leaders. AFS Fellows get a rare opportunity for introspection. It has made me a better colleague and a more thoughtful lawyer.”
Alex Garel-Frantzen “The Fellows Program gave me the chance to connect with an extraordinary and diverse group of leaders from across the firm, and through the Program, I discovered my own brand of leadership. The Fellows Program doesn’t just develop leaders; it empowers you to define the kind of leader you want to be and gives you the confidence and tools to grow into that role.”
Brooke Fodor “The Fellows Program has made me a more thoughtful and kinder person, not just to others, but to myself. It turned my understanding of what it means to be a leader on its head, making me realize that each of our differences is valuable, and that everyone has a part to play in leading from where they are.”
