Senior female attorneys at Baker & McKenzie strengthen their marketing, networking and business development skills by participating in the external Women Rainmakers Roundtable, a two-year program that offers professional coaching.

With the launch of its global gender initiative in 2011, this law firm aimed to help more of its female lawyers advance into its highest ranks, something it’s also been driving toward with a host of other programs. Its North America Women’s Initiative offers workshops and webinars that strengthen members’ business savvy and financial acumen, while formal coaching by equity partners helps female nonequity partners to identify and repair gaps in their work experience. If women desire more free time, they can telecommute, shorten their workweeks, adjust their schedules or cut their billable hours by up to 15% (pending management approval). Many make partner while they’re on maternity leave, or shortly after returning from it. “From the beginning, I felt a great deal of support,” says Veronika Nemeth, who was named an equity partner a month after her son was born.

Female Equity Partners 18%

Female Nonequity Partners 29%

Lawyers Working Reduced Hours 8%

 

Pictured: Tiffany Rose and Genevieve.