Offers a formal flextime program for associates & counsel.

Flexibility is top of mind at Smith Moore Leatherwood.  Created from the merger last year of North Carolina’s Smith Moore and South Carolina’s Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann, the newly combined firm, based in Greensboro, NC, has a written policy that lets lawyers propose their own alternative work arrangement, including reduced hours, flextime and telecommuting. One lawyer who has taken advantage of the policy is Molly Huggins. This mom works reduced hours and telecommutes from her home in Savannah, GA, since the firm does not have an office there. “I do my part to make it work, the firm does its part, and everybody wins,” she says.

Female equity partners: 23%

Female nonequity partners: 25%

Female counsel: 38%

Female associates: 42%

Female lawyers promoted to nonequity partner, 2004–2008: 46%

Female lawyers promoted to equity partner, 2004–2008: 25%

Lawyers working reduced hours: 11%

Lawyers working reduced hours, 2004–2008: 0%

Weeks paid maternity leave: 10

Weeks paid paternity leave: N/A

Weeks paid adoption leave: 10

Offer phase-back program for new moms?: No

Offer reentry program for lawyer moms?: No

Offer formal flextime program for associates & counsel?: Yes

Lawyers working flextime schedule: 0%

Offer support groups for reduced-hours lawyers?: Yes