Orrick has some very family friendly policies. They've been wonderful to me and several other moms in the office, and I actually feel like they have actively partnered with me to achieve work/life goals.

But I feel extremely lucky. Definitely not the norm.

I would join the Woman's Bar Association and start getting to know women on a personal basis in order to find out where you should be.

Why does it have to be traditional BigLaw? Plenty of well-respected, mid-size firms around here....

I think that Dickstein Shapiro allows you to do an 80% schedule. But otherwise you are usually only lucky enough to get a reduced schedule if you have been with a firm for quite a few years and you have already proved yourself.

Anonymous wrote:You are so funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Sad, but true.

You are so funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Hi.
I do international corporate work (junior associate) and just moved to the area from NYC. I have a baby and would very much appreciate some insider info on how the work-life policies of some of the Biglaw firms really work out in practice.

So if you are happy at your work and are surrounded by nice people, please share your story! I'm interested in how easy it is to telework, work part-time, respond to family emergencies, etc., and whether you feel that the firm puts in effort to accommodate your situation.

Thanks much in advance.