What We Love
What working mother hasn’t had a moment when she considered chucking her career to spend more time with the kids. But at this Washington, DC, law firm, taking time off doesn’t have to torpedo your career. In fact, an on-ramp/off-ramp policy allows attorneys to step away for three years—no questions asked. To further encourage professional freedom, the firm covers off-rampers’ bar association fees and training, and it encourages them to stay in touch through development and alumni events. Working attorneys can take advantage of added flexibility by compressing their hours to leave early once a week. Even during busy times, staffers can take comfort in the fact that their firm offers child care at headquarters and near its New York City office. Since 2008, any employee who needs to care for a sick family member can take six paid weeks of leave, while women on maternity leave get a whopping 18 paid weeks—six more than in 2007.

Executive Director: Elizabeth Respess

HR Coordinator: Betsy Milam

Women managers/execs: 40%

Women among top earners: 50%

Women on board of directors: 32%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 46%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 34%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: N/A

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 0%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No