Orrick Partner Says Law Firms Must Change Promotion and Billing Structures
A partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe endorses part-time work options at law firms, but she says it isn’t nearly enough to satisfy the new generation of lawyers.
Patricia Gillette, a San Francisco partner in employment law, said law firms need to completely change promotion structures, create multiple paths to partnership and ban the billable hour. The AmLaw Daily reported on Gillette’s comments during a roundtable discussion entitled, “Flexing the Workplace.”
“Law firms are going to feel the push from Generation X and Generation Y lawyers who want a different life,” Gillette said. She said firms will eventually follow the lead of technology companies and offer alternative work schedules that include telecommuting, job sharing and part-time work.
“Change is coming,” Gillette said. “But just offering part-time alone is not the solution.”
The discussion, sponsored by the National Association of Women Lawyers, coincided with the release of its study (PDF) on the ways law firms can help women advance into leadership positions. Among its recommendations: Compensate partners who promote diversity; encourage men to mentor women; and keep a close eye on how attorneys are credited for their business development efforts.
