Mother of all incentives

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By Ann Geracimos

Women bear the greater burden when it comes to balancing work and life issues, a reality crystallized for many women by the rise of the Republican vice-presidential nominee and a mother of five, Sarah Palin. Nowhere, perhaps, is this dilemma more acute than in the legal profession.

Nearly 50 percent of students in law schools are women, and the rise in their numbers at prestigious firms is impressive. Yet, nearly half of female lawyers are leaving the profession at some point in their careers, according to the Aug. 15 issue of the weekly ABA Journal.

In this hypercompetitive profession, law firms are now vying with each other to offer incentives and working environments designed to attract and retain the best female lawyers. The August/September issue of Working Mother made waves with its second annual list of 50 best law firms for women — presumably women who are mothers.

Supporting women raising families is a good way to attract and help keep top-notch talent, firms say. It also helps explain why Perkins Coie, new to Working Mother's list, last year created a new position — a director of diversity and professional development — now held by Theresa Cropper.

"Some of this for us is driven by clients, who are increasingly diverse, including women who want to know how we do on these issues," says Perkins Coie partner Guy R. Martin of Washington.

"The reality is this generation will be the one to make adjustments in law firms and will help move the needle," Ms. Cropper says. "The new secret is the men are very interested in a balanced life, too."

Mary Rose Hughes, 57, a litigator and partner in Perkins Coie's Washington office — where, coincidentally, Michelle Fenty, wife of D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is employed, remembers starting out in the Seattle office when, she says, there was no maternity-leave policy.

"I was one of the first to have a baby. The firm didn't know what to do with me. We made it up as we went along," she says.

She took some paid time off and went on to have three more children — one of them while working briefly at the U.S. State Department. A supportive husband and live-in in-laws helped make it possible, she says.

Women and men now can be on the partnership track while working part time, she points out, in part due to advances in technology that also allow for flex-time arrangements.