Raising five children didn’t stop Kristin Achterhof from making partner in intellectual property litigation at this law firm. In her 16 years here, she has flexed her hours, worked from home or compressed her schedule to make time for family. She’s also attended dozens of networking events to meet key leaders, and accelerated her growth with career development programs. Now she mentors other working moms: “The firm’s environment and policies make it possible for me to strike a balance in my life,” she says. “I don’t have to sacrifice my career in order to be a mother.” Partner Kristin Nichols, director of strategic growth at the firm, agrees. She utilized the firm’s adoption leave (up to six months off, with three fully paid) to welcome her son. “It gave me comfort when the process was stressful and unpredictable,” she says.

National Managing Partner Vincent Sergi

Director, HR Gaye Bartulis 

Women managers/execs 32%

Women hires in 2011 57%

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 11

Offers paid paternity leave? Yes

Offers paid adoption leave? Yes

Women in affinity groups in 2011 29%

Offers backup child care? Yes

Employees working flexibly 100%