Mentoring circles for junior female associates, monthly luncheons for female attorneys and networking groups for new women partners foster camaraderie at Dorsey & Whitney.

Women at this law firm enjoy mentoring relationships from day one, working with departmental mentors their first year, being counseled by senior female associates for their first three and learning from partners as they move up in the ranks. Achieving success doesn’t have to mean abandoning a personal life, either: In 2011, 27% of the firm’s female partners, 58% of its female counsel and 9% of its female associates worked reduced hours, with related coaching available to the last group. Other attorneys may opt to adjust their weekly schedules, telecommute or work remotely (utilizing laptops, PDAs and 24/7 tech support) to meet their personal needs. Attractive extras include on-site gyms, child care subsidies and reimbursements, an employee assistance program, generous parental leave and up to $3,000 in adoption aid per child.

Female Equity Partners 19%

Female Nonequity Partners 25%

Lawyers Working Reduced Hours 11%

 

Pictured: Katie Pfeifer, Katina Peterson, Cassandra Headrick, Shawna Anderson, Shari Aberle and Lynnette Slater Crandall (all standing), and Alysia Zens and Rhona Schmidt (both sitting).