Chambers & Partners Honors Ropes & Gray for Promoting Innovative Programs for Mothers

On June 21, Ropes & Gray was named “Law Firm of the Year in Promoting Flexible Working Environments and Innovative Programs for Mothers” at the Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA 2018, held at the Yale Club of New York City.

Now in its seventh year, the Chambers Women in Law Awards recognize the achievements of legal practitioners in furthering the advancement of women in the legal profession.

Chambers highlighted Ropes & Gray’s flexible work arrangement program as well as a number of the firm’s women’s initiatives, noting that Ropes & Gray has created a culture of flexibility to support the busy and rich work and personal lives of its women attorneys.

Among the firm’s policies and programs aimed at advancing the careers of women are generous maternity and parental leave policies, support for nursing mothers and a “re-ttorney” program that focuses on rehiring attorneys who previously worked at the firm. The firm also has a Women’s Forum that supports women attorneys through initiatives such as mentoring circles, networking opportunities, and professional development scholarships and grants.

“We seek to provide support to women attorneys as they chart their career paths and grow into leadership roles,” said Kendi Ozmon, a tax partner in the firm’s Boston office who chairs the firm’s flexible work arrangements committee. “Understanding how to strike a balance between parenting priorities and professional success is foundational to our approach. It’s an honor to receive recognition for our efforts from a prominent organization like Chambers.”

Ropes & Gray has long been at the forefront of recruiting, retaining and advancing the careers of women in the law. Today, more than 41 percent of the firm’s lawyers are women and that percentage continues to grow. Additionally, 25 percent of partners are women, which is well above industry average. Women hold significant leadership positions in the firm, serving as policy committee members, office managing partners, department heads and practice group leaders. Significantly, in November 2017, Ropes & Gray announced the appointment of Julie H. Jones as chair-elect of the firm, marking the first time in the firm’s history that a woman will hold the top leadership position.

In May 2018, Ropes & Gray was again named to Law360’s top ten list of “Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys” and made the “Ceiling Smashers” list of law firms with the highest percentage of female equity partners.