Working Mother Names V&E to 2020 "Best Law Firms for Women" List

To compile the list, Working Mother assessed applications which included more than 300 questions about attorney demographics at different levels, schedule flexibility, policies for paid time off and parental leave, and development and retention of women lawyers.

The full list, available here, highlights law firms that offer other key parental-leave, work-life and career-advancement initiatives, including formal mentoring programs, options for reduced hours and remote work and gender-neutral parental leave.

“Law firms on this year’s list were better prepared to respond to the effects of the pandemic because of their continued support of flextime and remote work for working parents and caregivers,” said Subha V. Barry, president of Working Mother Media. “We are proud to recognize their resilience and steadfast commitment to supporting gender equality.”

Among V&E’s many diversity and inclusion programs is the Women’s Initiative, which provides women lawyers with the resources needed to advance their careers while maintaining a fulfilling personal life. The Initiative offers a variety of programs, including business development and leadership training, mentoring programs, networking events, and has been the catalyst for numerous resources that now benefit all lawyers such as gender-neutral parental leave and new parent mentoring program, post-family leave phase-in and flexible and remote work arrangements.

Additionally, V&E’s diversity and inclusion pipeline initiatives offer scholarship and fellowship opportunities for pre-law and law students in an effort to increase diversity in the legal field, including women. The firm is also embarking on a year-long certification known as the Mansfield Rule, which measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions.

“We are dedicated to creating opportunities and providing resources so that women can break barriers and thrive in the legal field,” said Trina Chandler, partner and chair of V&E’s Women’s Initiative. “We thank Working Mother for this recognition and for the important work they are doing to champion a culture in support of career-committed women.”