Anonymous wrote:Wondering about Big Law partners who also happen to be moms of small children. In my experience (2 firms), there are zero. In my limited experience, female partners seem to fall into one or more of the following descriptions:
1. Single or divorced, no kids
2. Married, no kids
3. Married, with kids, and with a stay-home spouse (or spouse who has a very light professional schedule)
4. Women who have been partners for many, many years, and whose children are grown (but while they were young, she probably fit into one of the above categories)


I can't think of a single female partner who is happily married (or neutrally-married) to a spouse with a full time career with children under age 10. Or under age 15 for that matter. Looking for some anecdotes of other moms with young kids who have made this work.

- 6th year mom of 2 small kids, married to professional with 50 hour/week job, noticing all of the similarly-situated women around me exiting big law in droves

Anonymous wrote: I know one better than the other. The office is very flexible about teleworking. Her DH works parttime and they have a parttime nanny to help with school pickup and the like. But she drops the kids off everyday, has dinner and puts the kids to bed almost every night, and rarely misses key school events (although I'm pretty sure she has an umbilical cord to her phone). she also works most evenings from 8 to midnight or so, including weekends. I don't honestly know where she gets the stamina.

Anonymous wrote:According to the IRS, any firm has to file a K-1 form to report each shareholder's share of profits, deductions, etc.

Do "non-equity partners" do a K-1 form as the IRS requires? Employees who don't have a K-1 are not partners, they are employees.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

DP: OP doesn't use the word equity anywhere.

New poster here.

Ultimately this confusion is the result of firms misusing terms and muddling things. But it bears noting that, in fact, there is no such thing as a "nonequity partner." "Partner" in the context of a "partnership" means one who shares in the profits and liabilities of a venture. That is, someone who has an equity stake in the partnership.

A "nonequity partner" is in fact an oxymoron. Someone who does not have equity -- ie, someone who does not share in the profits and liabilities of the partnership -- is by definition, not a partner. "Nonequity partner" is a made up term to elevate the status of employees who are not actually partners.

You can be a party to the partnership agreement without holding an equity stake. Non-equity partners do exist and are a sort of hybrid. They don't profit share but are often responsible for their own insurance costs, e.g.

Partnership is defined as co-ownership and sharing of profits and liabilities. Non-equity partners are not considered "partners" under either partnership law or employment law.

Partners are defined however the partnership agreement defines them. It is a contractual arrangement. Non-equity or income partners do not make capital contributions or profit share, but they do typically have some limited voting rights. Are partner at a firm with a two-tiered partnership? If not, what is your basis for your statements? Non-equity partners are extremely common and your dislike of the term does not change that. Or perhaps you are right and the majority of AmLaw 100 firms are wrong?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

DP: OP doesn't use the word equity anywhere.

New poster here.

Ultimately this confusion is the result of firms misusing terms and muddling things. But it bears noting that, in fact, there is no such thing as a "nonequity partner." "Partner" in the context of a "partnership" means one who shares in the profits and liabilities of a venture. That is, someone who has an equity stake in the partnership.

A "nonequity partner" is in fact an oxymoron. Someone who does not have equity -- ie, someone who does not share in the profits and liabilities of the partnership -- is by definition, not a partner. "Nonequity partner" is a made up term to elevate the status of employees who are not actually partners.

You can be a party to the partnership agreement without holding an equity stake. Non-equity partners do exist and are a sort of hybrid. They don't profit share but are often responsible for their own insurance costs, e.g.

Partnership is defined as co-ownership and sharing of profits and liabilities. Non-equity partners are not considered "partners" under either partnership law or employment law.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

DP: OP doesn't use the word equity anywhere.

New poster here.

Ultimately this confusion is the result of firms misusing terms and muddling things. But it bears noting that, in fact, there is no such thing as a "nonequity partner." "Partner" in the context of a "partnership" means one who shares in the profits and liabilities of a venture. That is, someone who has an equity stake in the partnership.

A "nonequity partner" is in fact an oxymoron. Someone who does not have equity -- ie, someone who does not share in the profits and liabilities of the partnership -- is by definition, not a partner. "Nonequity partner" is a made up term to elevate the status of employees who are not actually partners.

You can be a party to the partnership agreement without holding an equity stake. Non-equity partners do exist and are a sort of hybrid. They don't profit share but are often responsible for their own insurance costs, e.g.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

DP: OP doesn't use the word equity anywhere.

New poster here.

Ultimately this confusion is the result of firms misusing terms and muddling things. But it bears noting that, in fact, there is no such thing as a "nonequity partner." "Partner" in the context of a "partnership" means one who shares in the profits and liabilities of a venture. That is, someone who has an equity stake in the partnership.

A "nonequity partner" is in fact an oxymoron. Someone who does not have equity -- ie, someone who does not share in the profits and liabilities of the partnership -- is by definition, not a partner. "Nonequity partner" is a made up term to elevate the status of employees who are not actually partners.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

DP: OP doesn't use the word equity anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.

That is what op is asking about. Much easier to make nonequity partner ( I did) and the demands are different.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my wife's firm she made partner with two kids under 4 years old. I work full time also 40+ hours a week, but I travel rarely and my schedule is more regular so I do daycare pickup and drop off every day.

In her practice group there are 3 other partners that I can think of in similar situations, that made partner with small children and have husbands that work full time as well, but mostly in more regular tech/government/consulting type jobs.

Most of the senior female associates and counsel have children as well. The typical pattern that I see is:

1) Graduate law school
2) work at a firm for a few years, and get married
3) Have kids when you are a 5-7 year and established in your practice area.
4) Make counsel
5) A few years later make partner

Clearly you have a very unrepresentative view of biglaw or your wife is at a smaller or boutique firm. Women still make up a small fraction of equity partners.

During my time in biglaw, I saw the following types of women partners with kids.

1. Women who had kids before law school and kids were older by time they got to firm (usually law second career);
2. Women who had another family member stay home with kids, usually a dad or grandparent.
3. Women whose dh also worked, Jad full time help and were always trying to be a reduced hours partner, while never actually working reduced hours.
4. Women who made partner before having kids and then left for government or in house when they had kids.

most of the women I knew with kids left before being promoted, and about half of the women who were promoted to partner never had kids.

So now the goal posts have changed to equity partner? My wife is a partner at a top-40 firm.