Fewer Big Law Firms Require Mandatory Arbitration for Associates

Fewer top U.S. law firms require associates to sign forced arbitration agreements in their employment contracts following student-led pressure campaigns to end the practice.

Seven firms responding to a Harvard Law School survey said they require arbitration for summer associates compared to 18 last year for summer or first-year associates. Four other firms that required arbitration agreements last year didn’t respond to this year’s survey.

The survey data was analyzed by the People’s Parity Project, law student initiative at Harvard dedicated to ending harassment and discrimination in the legal profession.

Students said arbitration agreements unfairly keep employment claims out of ...