A part-time partner who joined Arnold & Porter to start the firm’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice group in 2009, Lisa Blatt now holds the record among women for the most arguments before the U. S. Supreme Court.

Among U.S. law firms, the Supreme Court practice has long been dominated by men, with women making only about 15 percent of all arguments before the court in the past decade. Even in the face of such odds, Lisa still holds another even more impressive record, having prevailed in 29 of her 30 appearances — two of which she made while she was pregnant.

Not surprisingly, Lisa is an advocate for women and a great inspiration to others aspiring to argue in front of the country’s highest court. She attributes the start of her oral argument skills to high school debate, but sheer determination has a role as well. Indeed, Lisa graduated from college in three years while working full-time and continued to work while attending law school.

Since joining Arnold & Porter, Lisa has become an inspiration not only to her colleagues, but to the groups of women she addresses as well to share her experiences.

Lisa is most proud, however, of serving as an inspiration to her two children. While her daughter is already aiming to argue in the Supreme Court one day, her son recently posed an intriguing question to her: “Mommy, why do you have to have so many arguments?” he asked. “Why can’t you have agreements?”

Visitors to this law firm’s headquarters are likely to witness employees dining at their office cafeteria, working out at the corporate gym or walking their kids to its on-site child-care center. But those aren’t the only ways these workers fit multiple activities into their busy days: It’s thought that 100% of them used flextime at some point last year, while 70% worked off-site and 50% compressed their schedules. Full benefits are available to anyone logging 25 hours per week, and many of those who do seek guidance from the firm’s part-time work advisors—two lawyers who have used alternative arrangements for years. The firm’s concierge service helps moms find housekeepers, plan parties and book hotels; its health advocate ensures they get proper medical care.

Executive Director Elizabeth Respess

Chief HR Officer Janet Robin

Women managers/execs 38% 

Women among top earners 42% 

Women hires in 2010 46% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 18 

Allows new moms to “phase back” into work with reduced hours? Yes

Offers affinity group for new mothers? Yes

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly 100%

More than 35% of the support staff at Arnold & Porter has been there for at least 10 years; after they reach that milestone, they receive annual bonuses.

In 1997, this law firm opened a child-care center at its headquarters, making it one of the first in its industry to do so. Today, that facility serves 55 kids ages 3 months to 6 years, who stay anywhere from a few hours to a whole day. If they like, parents can also use the center for 15 free days of backup care each year. Mothers in other locations have priority access to a national day-care network that offers full-time and backup care. If women give birth or adopt, they can take 24 job-guaranteed weeks off, with 18 fully paid. (There's also $5,000 to help cover adoption costs.) Attorneys becoming parents for the first time can join the New Parent Mentor program, which pairs them with colleagues who have more experience. Growing support for part-time and compressed schedules means moms can avoid burnout while raising kids.

Executive Director Elizabeth Respess

Chief HR Officer Janet Robin

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 41%

Women among top earners 41%

Women on board of directors 30%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 33%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 21%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* N/A  

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement 0%

Do formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance? No

*Percentages reflect number of women participants versus company’s total female workforce.