The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
PAST SPOTLIGHTS
If you are a professional working a flexible schedule and would like to share your story in an upcoming Spotlight on Flex, please contact Jane Caldeira.
Spotlight on Flex – Jennifer Morrissey
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Jennifer Morrissey, Counsel in the Washington, DC office of Dentons.
Jennifer Morrissey: I lateraled to Dentons as a mid-level associate in 2009. I was already working reduced hours at my previous firm, and for me, being able to continue on a flex schedule at Dentons was an essential condition for me to accept their offer. Fortunately, Dentons made it clear they had no problem with flex time, and I have been on an 80 percent schedule ever since I joined them. Marci Rose Levine (the Alliance’s April 2015 Spotlight on Flex and 2013 Flex Success™ Award Honoree) was instrumental in my decision to come to Dentons; she was already working a successful flex schedule at the firm, and it was evident she had the support to thrive personally and professionally here.
Spotlight on Flex – Megan Devaney
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Megan Devaney, Partner in the Chicago office of Winston & Strawn LLP.
Megan Devaney: Before I went to law school, I was a consultant for Accenture. I loved it there, but I was traveling all the time. When I looked at my five and 10 year plan, I knew I didn’t want to be on a plane every Monday and come home on a Thursday. This was before I was married or had children, but even then, I knew having flexibility with my schedule was important to me. I switched paths and went to law school, summered at Winston & Strawn, and joined the firm as a first year associate.
In 2011, I was a fifth year associate on maternity leave when I started thinking about flex at the firm. I talked with other attorneys working reduced hours and approached the firm about flex for me. I made it clear I wanted to make partner and work on matters that would advance my career. The firm fully supported my choice to work a reduced annual hours schedule at 85 percent. I’ve been reduced hours ever since, and I made partner while on this schedule.
Spotlight on Flex – Diana Roman Shaw
The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.
This month, we are pleased to share insights from Diana Roman Shaw, Counsel in the Washington, DC office of O’Melveny & Myers LLP.
Diana Roman Shaw: Flex was something I started thinking about before I even started working in big law. Just before I began as an associate at O’Melveny, my husband and I agreed that even though I was about to become consumed by big law life, it was important that we try to sit down and have dinner together most nights. So when I started at the firm, I tried to plan each day with that goal in mind. If I knew I was going to be particularly busy one day, I’d come in very early to get ahead of the crush. I’d head home for dinner and start working again afterwards. By being organized and efficient, I was able to keep a promise to my husband that meant a lot to both of us.
Now that I’m a parent, the goal is slightly different – I try to plan each day to ensure my work doesn’t interfere with the time I spend at home with my children. I switched to a reduced hours schedule when I returned from my first maternity leave in 2012 (O’Melveny offers 18 weeks paid leave; I was able to add an additional six weeks of vacation time). My reduced hours schedule means I’m in the office between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday,