Share of Women Among New Partners Grows Incrementally

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Releases Its Annual New Partner Report

WASHINGTON, DC, October 30, 2013 — The share of women among new partner classes at major law firms gained only one percentage point in the last year. Thirty-four percent of attorneys promoted to the partnership in 2013 were women, as compared to 33 percent in 2012, according to data collected by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance (the “Alliance”).

The Alliance’s New Partner Report compiles data from announcements and other self-reported sources from law firms about the attorneys promoted partnership in 2013. Data for over 100 of the nation’s largest law firms are detailed in the report, including members of the Alliance and many among the The American Lawyer 100 (AmLaw 100) ranks. Read more

Action Step – Hire A Flexible Work Coordinator

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility.  Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

HIRE A FLEXIBLE WORK COORDINATOR

Most Alliance member firms have flexible work coordinators. They play an essential role in the success of flexible work programs. Here are some of the things flexible work coordinators can do for firms:

  1. Oversee the schedules, assignments, evaluations, and promotions of the lawyers who are working flexibly, monitoring them for reasonable compliance with the agreement between the lawyers and the firm;
  1. Work with lawyers who want to make a proposal for flexible work, helping them to think through various schedule options, anticipate client needs, and suggest necessary workload adjustments…

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