News Release
Sidley Named to "Best Law Firms for Women" By Working Mother & Flex-Time Lawyers
August 14, 2007
Firm Recognized for Ongoing Commitment to Retention and Promotion of Women
New York - Sidley Austin LLP has been named to the 2007 Working Mother & Flex-Time Lawyers Best Law Firms for Women. The firm is among a total of 50 law firms selected by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers, a national consulting firm advising lawyers and legal employers on work-life balance and the retention and advancement of women.
This is the inaugural year that Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers have joined forces to compile the "Best Law Firms for Women" list. The 50 winning firms were selected based on their responses to an application measuring six areas of importance: workforce profile, benefits and compensation, parental leave, child care, flexibility and retention and advancement of women.
Sidley's inclusion on the list was based on its long-standing commitment to the recruitment, retention and promotion of women. The firm's formal initiative to provide a work environment that fosters the establishment and development of women's legal careers began in 1998, and its Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women was established to ensure sustained diversity efforts. In 2005, Sidley became the second law firm to win the Catalyst Award, from the leading research and advisory organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and business.
"A better place to work for women means a better place for all our colleagues," commented Thomas A. Cole, Chairman of Sidley's Executive Committee. "We are certainly gratified to be recognized as a Best Law Firm for Women, because we truly believe we are."
Currently, Sidley has more than 600 women lawyers and 125 women partners. Many have taken advantage of the firmwide reduced hours policy, which enables lawyers, at both the associate and partner levels, to work a flexible schedule.
"There is no set formula for balancing work and family and no single definition of success for the working mother," said Laurin Blumenthal Kleiman, firmwide co-chair of Sidley's Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women. "Thanks to a supportive climate and strong mentors, Sidley women - particularly those with families - are empowered to build a career that works best for them."
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest full-service law firms, with more than 1,700 lawyers practicing in 16 U.S. and international cities including Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. In 2006, Sidley was named to Legal Business' Global Elite, their designation for "the 15 finest law firms in the world." Sidley was again named the number one law firm for overall client service by BTI, a Boston-based consulting and research firm, in 2007. BTI has also named Sidley to their Client Service Hall of Fame as one of only two law firms to rank in the Client Service Top 10 for six years in a row.
For more information:
Janet Zagorin, Director of Practice Development 212.839.8797
Rhonda Walker, Rubenstein Associates 212.843.8338
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