The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and Flex-time Lawyers LLC recently came out with a survey of the Top 50 best law firms for women in 2011. The news is hopeful—the survey reports that 100% of the best law firms listed have Reduced Hours policies, 44% have written full-time Flex-Time policies, and 78% offer full-time Telecommuting policies. 54% offer Annualized hours, and 10% offer Job Sharing.
The parental leave policies at these firms are generous. The firms provide an average of 14 weeks of paid leave to their lawyers who become moms, 6 weeks to their lawyer dads, and 11 weeks to adoptive parents who are lawyers. They also received top marks for Childcare options, with 78% offering backup childcare.
The stats on the percentage of women lawyers making equity partner, however, indicate that we may still have a ways to go. Although the average at the Best Law Firms, 19 %, definitely exceeded the national norm, the national average is still only 15%, according to data listed in the survey’s Executive Summary.
The 50 Best Law Firms for women are profiled in the fall 2011 issue of NAFE magazine. For a full list of the law firms listed in the survey, click here.
Hillary Mantis consults with pre-law students, law students and lawyers. She is the Assistant Dean of the Pre-law Program at Fordham University and author of career books for lawyers. Admissions questions? You can reach her at altcareer@aol.com.
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What are the Best Law Firms for Women?
What are the Best Law Firms for Women?
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By Hillary Mantis
The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and Flex-time Lawyers LLC recently came out with a survey of the Top 50 best law firms for women in 2011. The news is hopeful—the survey reports that 100% of the best law firms listed have Reduced Hours policies, 44% have written full-time Flex-Time policies, and 78% offer full-time Telecommuting policies. 54% offer Annualized hours, and 10% offer Job Sharing.
The parental leave policies at these firms are generous. The firms provide an average of 14 weeks of paid leave to their lawyers who become moms, 6 weeks to their lawyer dads, and 11 weeks to adoptive parents who are lawyers. They also received top marks for Childcare options, with 78% offering backup childcare.
The stats on the percentage of women lawyers making equity partner, however, indicate that we may still have a ways to go. Although the average at the Best Law Firms, 19 %, definitely exceeded the national norm, the national average is still only 15%, according to data listed in the survey’s Executive Summary.
The 50 Best Law Firms for women are profiled in the fall 2011 issue of NAFE magazine. For a full list of the law firms listed in the survey, click here.
You can write to Hillary at altcareer@aol.com
Hillary Mantis Esq.
How to stand out in your 1L summer job
The UBE and Me
It’s OK to not be OK
What best prepares you for the practice of law?