(CHICAGO) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that Working Mother magazine has honored the firm as one of the "Best Law Firms for Women" for the tenth consecutive year. The annual list recognizes 50 US law firms for their policies in the advancement of women and for the implementation of work-life balance initiatives.
"I'd like to thank Working Mother for recognizing Katten's longtime commitment to empowering women attorneys at all stages of their careers," said Katten Chairman Roger P. Furey. "One of the things that helps distinguish our firm is the fact that women create and oversee the programs and policies aimed at benefitting women. Their upfront involvement is critically important to getting these initiatives right, and in turn the initiatives are vital to our success."
Katten was recognized for its new National Mentoring Panel, launched earlier this year by the firm's Women's Leadership Forum (WLF), which was formed to ensure that all of the firm's women attorneys have access to good female role models. Additionally, the firm was acknowledged for its advancement of women to equity partner as well as its progressive leave and flexibility policies.
"This distinction is particularly gratifying because it recognizes law firms that are leading the industry in creating forward-thinking policies aimed at retaining and promoting women attorneys throughout the different phases of their personal and professional lives," said Laura Keidan Martin, member of Katten's Board of Directors and Executive Committee and national chair of the firm's WLF. "Katten is deeply committed to using best practices to advance and retain women lawyers who often face hurdles in the workplace."
Katten has a strong history of implementing innovative workplace policies and initiatives geared toward retaining female attorneys. This year, the firm's WLF and Attorney Development team launched new programs that advanced Katten's approach to work-life balance, as well as its retention and advancement of women. For example, in addition to the National Mentoring Panel, the firm transformed its commitment to attorney development with a new emphasis on coaching and continued to formalize its Sponsorship Program, which engages minority lawyers and provides them with the support and guidance necessary for advancing and succeeding throughout their careers.
Subha V. Barry, senior vice president & managing director, Working Mother Media, says, "This is the tenth year Working Mother has recognized the Best Law Firms for Women which heralds US law firms that create and use best practices in retaining and promoting women lawyers. We are proud to illuminate the accomplishments of the firms leading the way in helping women advance and achieve a more balanced work life."
For the first time, Working Mother worked in collaboration with the ABA Journal as a knowledge partner. "The ABA Journal is delighted to be part of the Best Law Firms for Women project that explores in depth what's really working at law firms to fill the diversity gap and ensure women are getting the support and resources they need to advance," says Molly McDonough, editor and publisher, the ABA Journal.
About the Methodology
Law firms completed an extensive application in the areas of workforce profile, flexibility, and development and retention of women. Best Law Firms were selected from a pool of self-selected applicant firms with 50 or more lawyers in the United States. Statistics reported are aggregated from data provided by the firms, collected from the full year of 2016.
Working Mother Media (WMM), a division of Bonnier Corporation, publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com. The Working Mother Research Institute, the National Association for Female Executives and Diversity Best Practices are also units within WMM. WMM's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine reaches more than two million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers.
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