Farella Braun + Martel Named Best Law Firm For Women By Working Mother & Flex-Time Lawyers
First-of-its-Kind Initiative Honors Trailblazers in Work-Life Balance and Women
SAN FRANCISCO (August 14, 2007) - Working Mother magazine, the authoritative source for career mothers, and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, a national consulting firm advising attorneys and legal employers on work-life balance and the retention and advancement of women, have named Farella Braun + Martel a 2007 Best Law Firm for Women. The firm is one of only 50 nationwide honored for its commitment to the retention and advancement of female talent.
"Since its founding, Working Mother magazine has been the champion of progressive, women-friendly changes in the workplace," said Carol Evans, CEO, Working Mother Media. "Every year we see substantive advances in companies' policies across the country, and we are so excited to be able to pair with Flex-Time Lawyers to celebrate change in a field that has historically struggled to support women and their life choices. I commend Farella Braun + Martel for taking the lead for women lawyers."
"Farella Braun + Martel has always prided itself on being ahead of the curve when it comes to working creatively to find ways to meet the needs of our working parents," said Steve Lowenthal, chairman of Farella Braun + Martel. "We are thrilled to be recognized by Working Mother for our efforts - but we're even more pleased that the working mothers in our offices and their families recognize our efforts."
Profiled in the August/September issue of Working Mother magazine, Farella Braun + Martel is honored for creating a work environment that is hospitable to and encouraging of the advancement of women. With innovative programs and policies that help women attorneys achieve balance in their personal and professional lives and thrive as practitioners, FBM is ensuring that women are the future of private law practice.
A few highlights of FBM's family friendly policies are: part-time working policies that allow for a reduced hours schedule; flexible schedules that allow both men and women to meet the demands of their own unique situations; paid childcare leave; paid sabbatical policy for partners and associates; subsidized emergency dependent care; concierge service; and technology allowances for remote access. Farella Braun + Martel also has an active Women's Initiative, which provides professional, personal and business development opportunities for women attorneys, including networking and educational opportunities. Lawyer moms and moms-to-be may also elect to participate in an internal lunch group known as MMIW (Moms Making It Work).
Methodology: The application and evaluation process for the 2007 Working Mother & Flex-Time Lawyers Best Law Firms for Women initiative was developed based on Working Mother's annual 100 Best Companies, a groundbreaking initiative that was first introduced in 1986 and continues to set the standard for family friendly workplaces. To apply for the Best Law Firms for Women, Farella Braun + Martel provided detailed information on the issues that are most important to the retention and promotion of women lawyers in six measured areas: workforce profile, benefits and compensation, parental leave, childcare, flexibility, and retention and advancement of women.
About Working Mother
Founded in 1979, Working Mother magazine reaches nearly 3 million readers and is the only national magazine for career mothers. Its 21-year signature initiative, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, is the most important benchmark for work/life practices in corporate America. For more information, please visit http://www.workingmother.com/.
About Flex-Time Lawyers LLC
Flex-Time Lawyers LLC® is a national consulting firm advising lawyers, law firms, bar associations, law schools and corporations on work/life balance, business development, women's initiatives, re-entry of professionals and the retention and advancement of women. For more information, please visit www.flextimelawyers.com.
Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base. Based in San Francisco, the firm serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. The firm also has an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry and related businesses. Farella Braun + Martel is a Green Business.
Contacts:
Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811
[email protected] / [email protected]
Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel
415.954.4433
[email protected]
