(CHICAGO) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that for the 10th consecutive year, the firm has been recognized as one of the "Working Mother 100 Best Companies" by Working Mother magazine for its outstanding leadership in creating progressive programs for its work force in the areas of advancement of women, flexibility, child care and paid parental leave.
"I'd like to thank Working Mother, which for 10 consecutive years has recognized Katten's commitment to advancing women and helping working parents more efficiently manage the demands of careers and family," said Katten Chairman Roger P. Furey. "We value this acknowledgement as it highlights how important these efforts are to us as a means of continually supporting our attorneys and staff."
Katten was one of only four law firms recognized on the list and was specifically acknowledged for its mentoring and sponsorship programs, which "heighten the junior women's visibility around the office, broaden the range of their potential assignments, and provide valuable insight into executive behavior." The firm also was lauded for its IVF coverage, paid leave and flexible schedules.
"This acknowledgment is a testament to Katten's leadership in this area and is due to the tremendous dedication of many people throughout the years who recognize that workplace flexibility and support for women are vital to the strength and success of our firm," said Laura Keidan Martin, national head of Katten's Health Care practice and national chair of the firm's Women's Leadership Forum. "Katten is a place where, as an attorney, I haven't had to choose between taking on leadership roles in my career and growing a family. Katten has afforded me the opportunity to do both."
Katten provides high-quality, innovative leave and flexibility policies. For example, to ease the transition back to work, Katten offers attorneys the 60/60/80 Program following the firm's 14-week paid maternity or adoption leave. This includes a 60 percent work schedule for the first two months following maternity leave and an 80 percent work schedule for the third month. In addition, after completing a fifth year of work at the firm, associates at Katten can take a one-month paid sabbatical that can be added onto maternity leave.
Employees at Katten can request alternative work schedules allowing them the flexibility to meet
both client and family needs. Subsidized coverage also is offered for emergency backup child care or care for aging parents in the home or at a facility in a location of preference. In addition, the firm offers programs that provide support and networking opportunities geared toward work-life and advancement.
Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother Media, says, "For 31 years, Working Mother has tracked the progress of companies that lead in creating a supportive workplace for America's families. Now more than ever, with changing family dynamics, parental benefits are a key weapon in the war for talent. These companies aim to create the culture that attracts the best talent."
The "2016 Working Mother 100 Best Companies" application includes more than 400 questions on leave policies, workforce representation, benefits, child care, advancement programs, flexibility policies and more. It surveys the availability and usage of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them. In selecting this year's winning companies, Working Mother gave particular weight to representation of women, advancement programs and flex. All applicants receive feedback showing how they compare with other applicants; however, the names of applicants that do not make the list are kept confidential. Company profiles and data come from submitted applications and reflect 2015 data.
In July, Katten was named one of the "50 Best Law Firms for Women" by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers for the ninth consecutive year.