Work/Life Balance
More Law Firms Specify How Part-Time Associates Can Make Partner
Posted Oct 1, 2008 5:56 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Associates on flex-time or part-time schedules can consult official policies on how they can still make partner at an increasing number of large law firms.
Fish & Richardson, Morrison & Foerster and Ropes & Gray all recently adopted or revised policies detailing the path to partnership, the National Law Journal reports. They join several law firms with such policies.
They include: K&L Gates; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Bingham McCutchen; Foley & Lardner; Goodwin Procter; Perkins Coie; Sullivan & Cromwell; and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.
The story includes some details of the three firms’ new policies. Morrison & Foerster revised its policy to clarify how alternative work arrangements affect compensation and indicate how long an associate must work on a reduced schedule before partnership.
Ropes & Gray’s policy says associates facing family or health demands can work out a flexible or reduced schedule with their practice group head and the firm’s career guidance manager. The plan may include the lengthened path to partnership.
Fish & Richardson’s policy says working up to 30 percent less than the firm’s 1,900 billable-hour requirement on a long-term basis may delay partnership, but won’t affect chances of promotion.
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Comments
Ellen Barshevsky
Oct 3, 2008 4:46 AM CST
KUDOs to these firms.
I think we should all go a step farther by having the firms POST their policies on this BLAWG so all part-timers can understand the rules of the part time track.
This way, the firms will be CLEAR on what it takes to be on the right partnership track, even if you are part-time.
Women, especially need this in order to take time out to raise children, but do NOT want to leave their skills to wane while they are out of work.
I intend to work part time after I get married and have a child so that my child can be brought up right. This goes along way to making the rules clear.
I think we shoud APPLAUD these law firms, but NOW ask them to POST their policy on this BLAWG. I can then show the managing partner these policies. Thank you.
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Philip
Oct 3, 2008 7:11 AM CST
Ellen, why do you think “women, especially” need a reduced schedule to raise children? Shouldn’t the decision of which parent is to be the primary caregiver be made by each couple, without regard to gender stereotypes? By reinforcing the old stereotype that only the mother can raise the children, you make it that much harder to overcome similar gender bias in the professional and political arenas.
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Bob
Oct 3, 2008 7:32 AM CST
I think women especially need a reduced schedule because raising children is what they were put on this earth to do. I’m guessing you went to school in New England.
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Jessco White (Boone, WV)
Oct 3, 2008 7:47 AM CST
I agree with Bob. Women who choose to work full time as opposed to sitting at home doing nothing really don’t contribute to the family atmosphere. I say put the shingle in the round file and pick up a Swiffer Wet Jet. By the way, no more sloppy slimy eggs for breakfast.
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Jessco White (Boone, WV)
Oct 3, 2008 8:10 AM CST
Ellen, I’m SURE the MANAGING partners would appreciate THAT!
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Bob
Oct 3, 2008 8:19 AM CST
ELLEN, you and PHILLIP get in the KITCHEN and make me some BISCUITS and GRAVY!!!
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Jessco White (Boone, WV)
Oct 3, 2008 8:27 AM CST
BY the WAY, OPRAH isn’t a NEWS source. OkAy?
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chuck
Oct 3, 2008 8:49 AM CST
“Ellen,”
You have officially jumped the shark. Let it go.
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Sue
Oct 3, 2008 9:16 AM CST
Amen, Philip!
Ellen, please stop posting. You’re doing a huge disservice to women everywhere.
Bob, I didn’t know you could get an internet connection in a cave. Did the female you clubbed bring a wireless router with her?
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Bob
Oct 3, 2008 9:25 AM CST
Sue, I told you NO PEPPER on my eggs. Take them back and make me some more. Also, take your top off and bring me a CHICKEN POT PIE!!!
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Jessco White (Boone, WV)
Oct 3, 2008 9:31 AM CST
BAD KITTY!!!!
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Jessco White (Boone, WV)
Oct 3, 2008 9:34 AM CST
Phillip: How do you write women so well?
Melvin Udall: I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.
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STL
Oct 3, 2008 10:08 AM CST
Ellen, I really don’t understand how you stay employed.
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KD
Oct 3, 2008 5:41 PM CST
Ellen is not a real person. She’s an alias for the ABA to try to stimulate discussion. Notice she is usually the first to post a comment on almost all stories and always has something ridiculous to say!
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fighting ennui
Oct 3, 2008 7:03 PM CST
#14 is right - Ellen’s a hoax. At the same time, she’s my source of weekly entertainment, an unparalleled comic relief! Keep on writing, El! Your dad, professor, boyfriend and future son will be proud of you!
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Willem DeDonis
Oct 4, 2008 10:17 AM CST
Ellen appears to make sense here. Not in some other posts, though. I think without her being able to boss around her boyfriend , she might really be a terror. That poor guy must be a saint.
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