Employees at this law firm may take 24 job-guaranteed weeks off to welcome a new baby or adopt a child, with 12 or 18 weeks fully paid. They can then bring infants to the day care center at headquarters for up to four months (paying subsidized rates). Everyone may also tap up to 15 days of backup care per year (cost: $25 to $40 per child, per day). Flexible schedules abound, from a newly formalized telecommuting arrangement to the compressed workweeks enjoyed by staff employees; floating staffers even fill in for secretaries who want to work alternative hours. Most employees take 20 vacation days per year, plus 10 paid holidays; educational leaves of absence lasting up to six months are available, with unlimited tuition aid for job-related courses.

Managing Partner Barbara Clarke McCurdy

Director, HR & Administration Dawn Ibbott

Women managers/execs 60%

Women hires in 2011 44%

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 15

Offers paid paternity leave? Yes

Offers paid adoption leave? Yes

Women in affinity groups in 2011 53%

Offers backup child care? Yes

Employees working flexibly 72%