07.27.2016

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Press Releases

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 27, 2016) – Perkins Coie has again been named one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC®. The 2016 list recognizes a select group of the nation’s law firms for their commitment to the advancement and retention of women lawyers. This is the eighth time the firm has been included in this well-regarded list.

In this year’s list of law firms, women represented 30% of nonequity lawyers, the highest percentage in the past nine years while 20% of equity partners were women compared with a national average of 18%. The number of Best Law Firms reporting three or more women among the top ten rainmakers increased from 16% to 22% over the last year (at the 46 winning firms that responded).

“Perkins Coie is fully committed to welcoming, supporting and promoting women throughout our firm,” stated John Devaney, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie. "We are delighted and honored to be recognized for this commitment for the eighth time running by Working Mother Media and Flex-Time Lawyers.”

The Perkins Coie Women's Forum, established in 2006, works to attract, retain and promote women in the firm and to provide leadership and support on issues that impact the firm's women attorneys. Led by two co-chairs and four subcommittee chairs, the Forum invites broad participation from women in all offices. Its four Subcommittees - Leadership, Marketing & Business Development, Retention & Mentoring and Work/Life Balance - connect the firm's women attorneys across offices, serve as internal consultants to the firm on women's issues and provide input and influence in the decision making and leadership appointment processes.

Some of Perkins Coie’s practices and policies focused on women lawyers include:

  • Establishment of a variety of affinity groups, including a firmwide Women’s Forum, which enjoys broad participation and focuses on leadership, marketing and professional development, work/life balance and retention and mentoring of women lawyers;
  • Networking events, including regular all-women lawyer retreats as well as practice group and office-specific events;
  • Programs for marketing, business development training and mentoring, that are designed to help women advance their careers and sharpen their skills;
  • Telecommuting options;
  • A reduced-hours program that allows attorneys to work part-time while developing their skills professionally and remaining on track for partnership. Under this program, attorneys need to work only 50 percent of full-time hours for benefits eligibility;
  • Leaves of absence for parental, adoption and elderly care purposes;
  • Lactation rooms;
  • Subsidized emergency in-home and sick child care for lawyers; and
  • Full billable credit for all approved pro bono work, allowing working mothers to meet their billable hour demands while honoring their commitments to community service.

Perkins Coie has received additional recognition for its positive culture. For instance, for 14 consecutive years, the firm has been named to FORTUNE magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For.” For the past eight years, the firm has received a perfect 100 score on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and Best Places to Work Survey. The firm also has received a Gold Standard Certification (2011 - 2015) from The Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). And, in 2015, Perkins Coie was named the third most female-friendly company in the U.S. by FORTUNE magazine.

About Working Mother Media: Working Mother magazine reaches more than 2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers. Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corporation, includes the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), Diversity Best Practices and the Working Mother Research Institute.

About Flex-Time Lawyers LLC: Flex-Time Lawyers LLC® is an international consulting firm providing advisory, training and speaking services on workplace restructuring, talent management, work/life balance, and the retention and promotion of lawyers, with a focus on women.

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

Media Inquiries: Please email Justin Cole, Head of Media Relations.