Reduced-hours lawyers get their own support group.

An innovative program at this Houston-based corporate firm will pair an expectant mom with a more experienced lawyer mom who can offer advice on maternity leave as well as how to ease back into work. The firm allows new moms to transition back to work on reduced hours, and last year eight women took advantage of this. In 2008, it also debuted an electronic newsletter to celebrate the successes of its female attorneys. Another impressive story here: Women hold four of five seats on the firm’s compensation committee.

Female equity partners: 18%

Female counsel: 43%

Female associates: 45%

Female lawyers promoted to equity partner, 2004–2008: 20%

Lawyers working reduced hours: 8%

Lawyers working reduced hours, 2004–2008: 3%

Weeks paid maternity leave: 12

Weeks paid paternity leave: 12

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?: Yes

Lawyers working flextime schedule: 0%

Offer support groups for reduced-hours lawyers?: Yes

*Law firm does not offer nonequity partnership.