It’s always comforting to know your boss has your back. Tim Mohan, the chief executive partner at this Chicago-based firm, makes work life balance a personal as well as a business imperative. His wife is a lawyer working an alternative schedule at another firm; they have a young child and another one on the way. Flexibility, access to development opportunities and mentoring are the cornerstones of his approach. Recently, the mentoring program was revamped with cross-practice-area and cross-gender mentoring groups that ensure every female associate access to the firm’s rainmakers and policymakers. In 2010, the firm also revamped the associate bonus system, to reward not just billable-hour productivity but also contributions to recruiting, training and leadership. The new system means that “you can be successful and valued here while still having flexibility and work life balance,” says Julie Kelly, an associate working an alternative schedule.

Female Equity Partners 18%

Female Nonequity Partners 23%

Lawyers Working Reduced Hours 8%