24% of the firm's equity partners are women.

Women lawyers at this international firm aren’t shortchanged when it comes to internal educational and networking programs. For example, more than 300 female attorneys and their clients from around the country attended the firm’s first Law and Women Symposium last year, which featured sessions on workplace politics and communication skills. The event was organized by the Women’s Management Council, a group of partners committed to helping associates develop the necessary legal skills, mentoring relationships and marketing know-how to support their promotion to partner. At another Council-sponsored event last year, all female associates at the firm’s Kansas City head office networked with executive committee members and listened as women partners discussed topics like leadership and work/life balance.

Female equity partners: 24%

Female nonequity partners: 17%

Female counsel: 48%

Female associates: 50%

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

Female lawyers promoted to equity partner, 2004–2008: 35%

Lawyers working reduced hours: 8%

Lawyers working reduced hours, 2004–2008: 5%

Weeks paid maternity leave: 14

Weeks paid paternity leave: 3

Weeks paid adoption leave: 14

Offer phase-back program for new moms?: No

Offer reentry program for lawyer moms?: Yes

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

Lawyers working flextime schedule: 0%

Offer support groups for reduced-hours lawyers?: Yes