More Law Firms Specify How Part-Time Associates Can Make Partner

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.