US Law Firm Consistently ‘Family Friendly’

Setting standards for ‘Family Friendly’ policies in companies across the USA, global law firm Mayer Brown has placed within the ‘2010 Top Ten Family-Friendly Law Firms’ by Yale Law Women.  However this isn’t Mayer’s first feature within the laudable list, having also being featured in 2009.

Listed alongside Mayer Brown are other well known legal giants such as Chicago’s Sidley Austin LLP, however no other law firm has kept such a strong form when it comes to flexible work policies.

About Yale Law Women

This passionate group of women from Yale’s internationally renowned law faculty have this to say about themselves:

“The mission of Yale Law Women (YLW) is to promote the interests of women within the law school and beyond. To this end, YLW cultivates debate and discussion of issues pertaining to women and gender broadly defined; promotes speech and action by YLW members on issues of import to women; devotes resources to student support and professional development; recognizes and fosters outstanding achievement; and advocates in service of women’s interests in society.”

YLW have carried out several studies in the past, but the family-friendly twist to this survey really catches the attention of national media, particularly as the lack of family-friendly firms is a significant barrier to career women who wish to have children while working. That said, it is actually worth noting that this survey isn’t just about women, and that ‘family-friendliness’ extends to the relationship between a company and fathers also.

A Healthy Balance

The policies and initiatives that Mayer Brown have introduced to try and attract more top talent include a backup child care service and paid maternity leave of 18 weeks. Mayer also have a ‘Back to work’ coaching programme to help new parents settle back into the wildly different lifestyle of parenting which can often cause attrition at the top legal and professional service firms worldwide.

2010 has seen legal employees worldwide, (including the prestigious ‘Magic Circle’ members based in London) hit back against an increase in hours worked for lower pay. As big player ‘Clifford Chance’ announces a 37% drop in net income, the pressures mount further still upon law partners to spread junior lawyers and other associates as thinly as possible. In these tough times, I find it encouraging to hear about a firm really trying to make a positive different to their employees work-life balance, and I’m sure you will too.

Simon Oates ~ Leadership Expert

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