BigLaw Firm Unveils Flexible Partnership Track Intended to Appeal to Women Lawyers

Seeking to turn the tide on a wave of departing women lawyers, a London-based BigLaw firm today unveiled a new flexible partnership track.

It will allow attorneys at Allen & Overy to opt either to work a four-day week or take an extra 52 days of leave annually, yet remain poised for partnership, reports the Financial Times (reg. req.). In exchange for the reduced hours, these lawyers will be expected to accept a reduced share of partnership profits.

Other major United Kingdom-based law firms have previously adopted such arrangements, but it isn't clear that many lawyers are pursuing part-time partnership track options.

During the past decade, the percentage of women lawyers among what the news article describes as "Allen & Overy's graduate trainees in the U.K." has risen from 46 percent to 62 percent, the Financial Times reports.

However, women represent only 16 percent of the firm's partners, reports a Legal Week article on the new flex-time partnership track.

Additional coverage:

London Times: "Allen & Overy adapts to encourage women"

Telegraph: "Allen & Overy to let partners work part time penalty-free "