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Is Part-Time On Your Side?: A Look at Flexible Work Arrangements [by Jenny Wallace] The struggle to balance career and family is not a new problem, but one that many employers have recently started to address. For lawyers, a group notorious for being unhappy with their jobs and finding little to no time for a family or personal life, the problem looms large. As such, these changes are no longer an administrative annoyance, but are being recognized as actually adding value to firms and giving them an edge in a competitive environment. Obviously, having two working parents in a household is not uncommon, nor is single-parent support of the family--it is becoming the norm. Plus, whether single or married, everyone needs time for responsibilities and recreation outside of work. Therefore, it is important that firms address their level of commitment to institutionalizing and publicizing support for alternative work schedules. Increasingly, firm policy on alternative work
client relationships. If you prove that
comes from the recognition of the fact
arrangements has become a hot-button is-
you are an expert in your area, enjoy the
that caring about life outside of work
sue. Even attorneys who do not necessarily
practice of law, and simply want to bal-
does not indicate a lack of dedication to
have children, or even expect to have any,
ance your lifestyle, firms will continue to
the practice of law.
find it an important indicator of a firm’s cul-
provide you with challenging work. There
ture. Today’s attorneys are looking to join a
are plenty of unproductive associates
4. “Why should they keep me around if
progressive firm that values the importance
spending longer hours in the office but
I’m not billing the hours? They’ll say I’m
of family, community, and personal well-be-
not producing quality work. Attorneys
costing them money, as opposed to mak-
ing. As you research different firms during
who know your value and ability to handle
ing them profitable.”
your job search, it is important to find out as
sophisticated work will continue to bring
Of course, a firm’s main concern must be
much information as possible regarding their
you interesting and complex projects.
the bottom line, as it has to generate a
policies on alternative work arrangements
profit in order to survive. Ultimately, you
and gauge how important their views on the
2. “If I am part-time, I will blow my
issue are to you.
chances of one day becoming partner.”
ers, but that doesn’t mean you’re costing
Part-time partners or part-time attor-
the firm money. All firms recognize the
Overcoming the Stigmata of Alternative
neys on a partner track may be a rarity,
value of a long-term investment and how
Work Arrangements
but it’s not necessarily because the firm
much money is spent training attorneys.
won’t allow it, but that many choose not
As such, having attorneys leave and thus
Many attorneys refuse to approach firm
to pursue it. With today’s technology,
benefit another firm is not something
management about reducing their time in the
firms realize that attorneys don’t have to
firms want. Again, client relationships,
office. Unfortunately, many feel it would be
be sitting behind their desk to be work-
quality of work, and your mental health
detrimental to their careers to even mention
ing. It is important to seek out firms that
are more important than not letting
the possibility of cutting back. The impres-
will be flexible, as long as they are also
someone cut back some hours during the
sion of most law firms is that billing long,
willing to be accommodating. In addition,
week. Because longevity reaps many re-
horrific numbers of hours is the only way
firms recognize that a fair majority of
wards, firms want to keep their attorneys
to succeed. In fact, a study by the National
attorneys requesting part-time positions
happy and will bend to accommodate
Association of Law Placement found that
are women. Most are focused on increas-
their needs.
although 96 percent of law firms surveyed
ing their number of female partners and
offered part-time positions, only 4.1 percent
will work with them in an effort to keep
5. “The clients won’t want to work with
of attorneys actually took advantage. Listed
them on track.
me, they’ll be afraid I won’t be around
may not earn as much as some full-tim-
for them.”
below are some common stigmas about going part-time, as well as information as to
3. “Part-timers don’t seem committed
Clients increasingly have diversity
why they no longer hold true:
to the firm. I’d be the first to go if there
requirements when it comes to select-
were cutbacks.”
ing their counsel. As for the male/female
1. “I am afraid of receiving marginal
More and more firms tout themselves
ratio, clients recognize that flexibility
work.”
as “lifestyle firms.” This catchphrase is
equals higher morale which ultimately
Firms are always looking for rainmakers
often used as a response to the “What
equals higher retention. Clients appreci-
and value attorneys who have excellent
makes you different?” question. This all
ate the “institutional knowledge” of their
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