San Francisco, CA - Twenty-three of the nation's leading firms have joined the Project for Attorney Retention as Founding Members. Additional firms are expected to join in the coming months.
The Project for Attorney Retention (PAR) works to stem unwanted attrition among lawyers - a benefit for both legal employers and the lawyers themselves - by promoting work/life balance and the advancement of women in the legal profession. "PAR is the leading voice in the legal profession for practical, creative?research and advice on work-life balance issues," said James Sandman, former managing partner of Founding Member Arnold & Porter.? "PAR members value work-life balance and show it by their support of the best organization dealing with these issues as they affect lawyers."
PAR has previously issued reports about part-time work in law firms and corporate law departments, and will launch a new study of part-time law firm partners in October 2007. In addition to supporting PAR's on-going work, members will receive benefits such as a review of their part-time policies and a teleconference for their attorneys who work reduced hours about how to advance professionally.
PAR's Founding Members: Sustaining Members Arnold & Porter Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass Fenwick & West Fulbright & Jaworski Howrey Powell Goldstein Shook, Hardy & Bacon Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice Supporting Members Andrews Kurth Arent Fox Crowell & Moring Dickstein Shapiro Farella Braun + Martel Hogan & Hartson Jackson Lewis Mayer Brown McCarter & English Miller Law Group Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe Outten & Golden Schiff Hardin Sidley Austin"These firms have demonstrated a public commitment to bridging the gap between what lawyers are looking for and what most law firms offer in terms of work/life balance," according to Joan C. Williams. "Knowing that a firm is a member of PAR is valuable information for law students who are looking for employment after graduation and for lawyers looking to make a lateral move between law firms," said Cynthia Thomas Calvert. Williams and Calvert co-direct PAR.
Contact: Manar Morales (301) 580-2490 ManarMorales@pardc.org