Offers a generous 20 weeks paid maternity leave

Reduced-hours employment doesn’t mean second-class work assignments at this New York City–based firm.  Associates on flextime or reduced hours are given demanding assignments and considered for partnership alongside their full-time colleagues. (For instance, an associate in the litigation department who works Monday through Thursday supervises a nationwide team of lawyers and counsel.) The culture at Davis Polk fosters widespread use of alternative work schedules: From 2004 to 2008, 153 lawyers opted to reduce their hours, including three equity partners.

Female equity partners: 23%*

Female counsel: 56%

Female associates: 42%

Female lawyers promoted to equity partner, 2004–2008: 26%

Lawyers working reduced hours: 6%

Lawyers working reduced hours, 2004–2008: 4%

Weeks paid maternity leave: 20

Weeks paid paternity leave: 10

Weeks paid adoption leave: 10

Offer phase-back program for new moms?: Yes

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

*Law firm does not offer nonequity partnership