Law firms’ family friendliness, work-life balance increasingly valued

When considering which firms to interview with, family friendliness and work-life balance are increasingly making the difference.

Family friendliness and work-life balance are now major draws for law firms attracting talent, a recent study reveals.

According to a report from the Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon, a recent Yale Law School study found that 67 per cent of respondent students said family friendliness and work-life balance are “important” or “extremely important” when considering which firms to interview with or to work for.
The result of the study comes at a time when law firms are accommodating flexible work arrangements with staff through the use of technology.

Recently, Yale Law Women also released its 2016 Family Friendly Firms List which tracks how law firms compare in family friendly policies and practices.

In alphabetical order, the top firms in the study are:
  • Arnold & Porter
  • Foley Hoag
  • Foley & Lardner
  • Goodwin Procter
  • K&L Gates
  • Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo
  • O’Melveny & Myers
  • Morrison & Foerster
  • Vinson & Elkins
  • WilmerHale
Arnold & Porter, Morrison & Foerster and WilmerHale are the only firms which were in the 2015 list which made it to this year’s list.

The study was based on information from the National Association for Law Placement and used the following policy categories to judge law firms: the availability and use of part-time and flex-time schedules; the availability and use of parental leave; gender equity among partnership, counsel, and associates of the firm; the structure and expectations surrounding bonuses and billing at a firm; and professional development opportunities that are provided by firms.