Firm Honored For Ninth Time

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 25, 2017) – Perkins Coie has again been named one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother magazine in collaboration with the ABA Journal as a knowledge partner. The 2017 list recognizes 50 U.S. law firms for their policies in the advancement of women and for the implementation of work-life balance initiatives. This is the ninth time the firm has been included in this well-regarded list.

Over the last 10 years, the percentage of female equity partners has increased to 20% from 16% and female non-equity partners has grown to 30% from 22% at the Best Law Firms. This year, the Best Law Firms employ more female equity partners (20%) than the national average (18%). Among their Top 10 rainmakers, 83% of the top firms have at least one woman.

“Perkins Coie’s long-term commitment to the advancement and success of women attorneys and women staff is an important core value of our firm,” stated John Devaney, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie. “We are proud of the opportunities for growth women have in our firm and are honored that our efforts are recognized for the ninth time by Working Mother Media.”

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 an executive board, the Forum invites broad participation from women in all offices. Its leadership connects the firm's women attorneys across offices, serves as internal consultants to the firm on women's issues and provides 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 15 consecutive years, the firm has been named to FORTUNE magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For.” For the past nine years, the firm has received a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’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 United States 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.

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.