Washington, DC – November 9, 2017 — The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance announced today that the percentage of women promoted to partnership in 2017 in the U.S. Offices of many of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms has reached a six-year high of 38.1 percent. The Alliance’s sixth-annual New Partner Report reveals that this year there was an increase of five percentage points since 2012 and one percentage point since 2016. This year also marks the largest share of firms (33.1%) with new partner classes consisting of at least 50 percent women.
The report emphasizes, however, that this increase is minor and law firms must take steps now to develop more young women attorneys and monitor the pipeline to make sure that women have access to the same training and opportunities to advance their careers as men.
“While we are optimistic that these results show that the industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to gender parity, the increase is too slow and firms must prepare for the future now if they want to remain competitive,” said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “It’s time that firms evolve with the times, understand the advantages of gender parity at the partner level, and take the steps necessary to retain and promote top female talent,” she added.
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Logo-260.png00integritivehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Logo-260.pngintegritive2017-11-10 00:00:002017-11-10 00:00:00Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Report Finds Slight Increase in Women Among Law Partner Classes
WASHINGTON, DC, March 22, 2017 — While the availability of flexible work arrangements has increased in law firms, new research released by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance (“the Alliance”) suggests that not all lawyers and staff are using the policies. The third annual Law Firm Flexibility Benchmarking Survey, released today, examines the availability and usage of flexible work policies in large U.S. law firms.
The survey found that while 26 of 28 participating firms (93 percent) have a formal written flexible work policy, the attorney usage rates remain at or below 8.8 percent for reduced hours, flexible start and end times, telecommuting, annualized hours, and job sharing. Detailed information is available in the report’s Executive Summary.
“While we are optimistic about the growing number of major U.S. law firms that have a formal flexible work policy, the usage rates are a better indicator of a culture that truly supports flex,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “For a flexibility policy to be successful it must be de-gendered, de-parented, de-stigmatized, and integrated into the cultural norms of an organization. Otherwise many employees, diverse individuals in particular, often face bias and stigma related to working flexibly,” she added. “Our vision for the future is an industry where all professionals are comfortable working flexibly and are confident that they are not impeding their career by doing so.”
Conference To Highlight the Evolving Culture of Flexibility & Diversity
WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2017 — The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance has announced that KPMG Global Chairman John Veihmeyer will deliver the keynote address at its annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = An Evolving Culture, in Washington, DC on March 16, 2017. The one-day conference will also feature executives from Verizon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Walmart, Morgan Stanley, and several prominent law firms who will share their best practices for embracing diversity and flexibility and the value they bring to their organizations. Human Resources executives, Diversity & Inclusion professionals, management, and anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of diversity and flexibility are invited to attend. More information and registration details can be found here.
“Our annual conference brings together professionals from the legal, corporate, financial, and consulting industries who share advice on flexibility and diversity initiatives,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “We are proud to welcome John Veihmeyer and other leaders who are trendsetters in diversity and flexibility and are integral to this evolution of cultural change in the workplace.”
Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Report Finds Slight Increase in Women Among Law Partner Classes
Increased Focus on Recruiting, Training,
Supporting and Advancing Women Is Critical
Washington, DC – November 9, 2017 — The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance announced today that the percentage of women promoted to partnership in 2017 in the U.S. Offices of many of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms has reached a six-year high of 38.1 percent. The Alliance’s sixth-annual New Partner Report reveals that this year there was an increase of five percentage points since 2012 and one percentage point since 2016. This year also marks the largest share of firms (33.1%) with new partner classes consisting of at least 50 percent women.
The report emphasizes, however, that this increase is minor and law firms must take steps now to develop more young women attorneys and monitor the pipeline to make sure that women have access to the same training and opportunities to advance their careers as men.
“While we are optimistic that these results show that the industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to gender parity, the increase is too slow and firms must prepare for the future now if they want to remain competitive,” said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “It’s time that firms evolve with the times, understand the advantages of gender parity at the partner level, and take the steps necessary to retain and promote top female talent,” she added.
The Alliance recommends that law firms focus on:
Survey Finds Positive Trends in Law Firm Flexibility, However Bias Continues to Impede Usage
WASHINGTON, DC, March 22, 2017 — While the availability of flexible work arrangements has increased in law firms, new research released by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance (“the Alliance”) suggests that not all lawyers and staff are using the policies. The third annual Law Firm Flexibility Benchmarking Survey, released today, examines the availability and usage of flexible work policies in large U.S. law firms.
The survey found that while 26 of 28 participating firms (93 percent) have a formal written flexible work policy, the attorney usage rates remain at or below 8.8 percent for reduced hours, flexible start and end times, telecommuting, annualized hours, and job sharing. Detailed information is available in the report’s Executive Summary.
“While we are optimistic about the growing number of major U.S. law firms that have a formal flexible work policy, the usage rates are a better indicator of a culture that truly supports flex,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “For a flexibility policy to be successful it must be de-gendered, de-parented, de-stigmatized, and integrated into the cultural norms of an organization. Otherwise many employees, diverse individuals in particular, often face bias and stigma related to working flexibly,” she added. “Our vision for the future is an industry where all professionals are comfortable working flexibly and are confident that they are not impeding their career by doing so.”
Some other highlights from the report include:
KPMG Global Chairman to Deliver Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Keynote
Conference To Highlight the Evolving Culture of Flexibility & Diversity
WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2017 — The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance has announced that KPMG Global Chairman John Veihmeyer will deliver the keynote address at its annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = An Evolving Culture, in Washington, DC on March 16, 2017. The one-day conference will also feature executives from Verizon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Walmart, Morgan Stanley, and several prominent law firms who will share their best practices for embracing diversity and flexibility and the value they bring to their organizations. Human Resources executives, Diversity & Inclusion professionals, management, and anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of diversity and flexibility are invited to attend. More information and registration details can be found here.
“Our annual conference brings together professionals from the legal, corporate, financial, and consulting industries who share advice on flexibility and diversity initiatives,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “We are proud to welcome John Veihmeyer and other leaders who are trendsetters in diversity and flexibility and are integral to this evolution of cultural change in the workplace.”