This Chicago-based firm, one of the few large firms with a female managing partner, is at the forefront of having women attorneys in leadership positions. In 2010, the firm promoted six women associates to partner—50% of the new partner class. Also in 2010, the firm’s diversity and hiring committees recommitted to attracting more women law students, and the initiatives proved successful: Women make up 51% of the firm’s 2011 summer class. The four-office firm offers a flexible reduced-schedule program designed to allow working mothers the opportunity to adjust their schedules at any time throughout the year, as well as a generous 18 weeks of paid maternity leave for associates and 21 weeks for partners.

Female Equity Partners 17%

Female Nonequity Partners 25%

Lawyers Working Reduced Hours 10%

New moms get 18 weeks maternity leave.

Women attorneys at this full-service firm are encouraged to connect with one another and their communities. Last October, 100 of Jenner & Block’s female attorneys from Chicago, New York and Washington, DC, gathered at the Chicago Ritz-Carlton for the firm’s first-ever two-day women’s retreat, where they had a chance to network, talk about work/life issues and hear from speakers such as the firm’s female managing partner and an Illinois Supreme Court justice. Women also serve on key internal committees, including one on compensation.

Female equity partners: 16%

Female nonequity partners: 26%

Female counsel: 45%

Female associates: 45%

Female lawyers promoted to nonequity partner, 2004–2008: 13%

Female lawyers promoted to equity partner, 2004–2008: 27%

Lawyers working reduced hours: 8%

Lawyers working reduced hours, 2004–2008: 5%

Weeks paid maternity leave: 18

Weeks paid paternity leave: 6

Weeks paid adoption leave: 12

Offer phase-back program for new moms?: Yes

Offer reentry program for lawyer moms?: Yes

Offer formal flextime program for associates & counsel?: n/a

Lawyers working flextime schedule: n/a

Offer support groups for reduced-hours lawyers?: Yes