Aware that an increasing number of clients place a high priority on diversity in their legal counsel, this Philadelphia-based firm has actively initiated several programs to retain and promote women lawyers, including Ballard Women, which aims to increase the visibility and marketing of the firm’s female lawyers and to provide mentoring for female associates by female partners. The firm also has a Work Life Balance Group that brings together lawyers—men and women, working full-time and reduced-hours schedules— who provide mutual resources and support for one another around the issues of work life balance. The firm supports flexible work schedules by paying flextime lawyers the same as full-time lawyers. In addition, lawyer moms and dads who use flexible work schedules are still eligible for partnership. Of the seven lawyers promoted to equity partner in 2010, three were women, and two of this firm’s 13 offices are managed by female partners.

Female Equity Partners 25%

Lawyers Working Reduced Hours 13%