Yale Law Women Recognizes Ropes & Gray as a Top Firm for Women

In its 2020 Top Firms for Gender Equity and Family Friendliness report, Yale Law Women named Ropes & Gray a leading law firm for advancing the careers of women. It was recognized as a top firm for “Women in Leadership,” which acknowledges the many women attorneys at Ropes & Gray who hold leadership positions, including serving as office managing partners, hiring partners, practice and industry group leaders, and holding the top leadership position. (On January 1, 2020, Julie Jones became the first woman chair in Ropes & Gray’s history.) Ropes & Gray was also named a top firm for “Advancement for Part-Time Attorneys,” a reflection of the firm’s commitment to innovative, flexible working arrangements. 

Ropes & Gray has earned a strong reputation for advancing the careers of women. Nearly 60 percent of the firm’s new partners in 2019 were women, and women comprise more than 30 percent of the partnership, which is well above the 20-percent industry average. In addition to an active diversity committee, which addresses policy issues, the firm offers educational, professional development and networking opportunities through its Women’s Forum, led by partner Lisa Bebchick.

Among other honors, Ropes & Gray was previously recognized by Yale Law Women for gender equity with regard to partner promotions, and has been named one of Law 360’s Top 10 “Best Law Firms for Women” for three consecutive years, as well as being ranked third on the publication’s “Ceiling Smashers” list of large firms with the highest percentage of female equity partners. The Chambers Women in Law Awards has honored Ropes & Gray for having the industry’s “Best Mentoring Program” and as “Law Firm of the Year in Promoting Flexible Work Environments and Innovative Programs for Mothers.” Since 2010, the firm has consistently been recognized as a top firm for diversity for women by the Vault survey of the 150 most prestigious law firms in the country.