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| 2008 50 Best Law Firms For Women |
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For lawyers raising families, the choices remain stark: Work nonstop to rack up billable hours or step off the partnership track to be home in time for dinner. No wonder 42% of women lawyers leave the profession at some point in their careers, according to the Center for Work-Life Policy. This year’s 50 Best Law Firms for Women—a joint initiative from Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers—are reworking the equation to offer a more balanced solution. By allowing flexible work arrangements, these trailblazers are announcing that it’s time to make the legal profession work for women. Equally important, they’re committed to helping more women make it to partner by hosting networking groups for female lawyers (98 percent), mentoring senior female associates (68 percent) and offering management training to teach women the skills they need to advance (62 percent). We salute these progressive employers for their leadership. When it comes to helping talented women succeed, these firms are learning what it takes.
 
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Edited by Jennifer Owens and Suzanne Riss
Photograph by Buff Strickland
Click here to download a Fact Sheet on the 2008 Data
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Andrews Kurth LLP
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After two years, lawyers can opt to work reduced hours while staying on the partnership track. To date, two reduced-hours lawyers—both women—have been made equity partner under this four-year-old policy. ...
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Arent Fox
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Eleven women hold top posts among the 49 lawyers steering practice groups. Also, a woman sits on the firm’s six-member compensation committee. Three women were among the firm’s top 5% of earners between 2005 and 2007. ...
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Arnold & Porter
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All staffers can take up to six weeks of paid leave to care for ill family members. And new moms now enjoy 18 fully paid weeks of maternity leave, up from 12 paid weeks in 2007. ...
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Baker & McKenzie
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Lawyer dads with at least a year of service can take up to five weeks’ paid paternity leave—and nine took the option last year. Partners who leave the firm are encouraged to return, without losing tenure. ...
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Bass, Berry & Sims
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A formal policy encourages alternative work schedules. The firm will set up home offices for attorneys who wish to telecommute. Also, a support group is available to reduced-hours lawyers. ...
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Bingham McCutchen
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Lawyers working reduced hours don’t have to meet a billable-hours goal. Eight women working reduced hours were promoted to equity partner between 2003 and 2007, five of whom retained their reduced schedule. ...
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Bricker & Eckler
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New moms can transition back to work with a temporary reduced-hours schedule for up to one year. Lawyers can also request a six-month sabbatical for any reason and return to a comparable job. ...
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Chapman and Cutler
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A woman sits on the five-lawyer compensation committee, and two women serve on the eight-member executive committee. Two women ranked among the top 10% in earnings between 2005 and 2007. ...
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
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Female associates are mentored by female partners. The Committee on Women’s Issues seeks to retain female lawyers and create enhanced business opportunities for them. ...
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Covington & Burling LLP
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A woman sits on the seven-member management committee, and two belong to its ten-member budget committee. Overall, a dozen women rank among the 25 lawyers who serve in leadership positions. ...
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