Working Mother Honors Wiley Among 2020 ‘Best Law Firms for Women’

September 8, 2020

Washington, DC – Working Mother revealed its 13th annual “Best Law Firms for Women” list today, recognizing law firms that have the best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers. Wiley Rein LLP, for the third consecutive year, was among 60 firms named nationally and was one of 13 Washington, DC area-based firms to be honored.

Law firms selected for the list averaged 23% women among equity partners, compared with 20% five years ago, Working Mother reported. In addition, multicultural women make up 14% of equity partners, up from 11% five years ago. Of particular note, Wiley ranked No. 1 for “Access and Usage of Reduced Hours and Remote Work,” and earned top-10 rankings in the areas of “Maternity Leave” and “Adoption Leave.”

“Law firms on this year’s list were better prepared to respond to the effects of the pandemic because of their continued support of flextime and remote work for working parents and caregivers,” said Subha V. Barry, president of Working Mother Media. “We are proud to recognize their resilience and steadfast commitment to supporting gender equality.”

“Wiley embraces gender diversity as a core pillar of our firm,” said Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “We are committed to a professional workforce that reflects the rich cultural and gender diversity of our client base and the world. We are grateful for this recognition, which reflects our belief that the firm is enriched by working with a diverse group of exceptional attorneys who allow us to think more creatively and produce innovative solutions for clients.”

Wiley provides women attorneys at the firm with appropriate work assignments, mentoring, resource groups, and client networking opportunities that ultimately allow them to rise to leadership positions, both inside and outside the firm. As a result, more than half of Wiley’s associates are women – and women lead 85% of the firm’s committees.

In addition to Wiley’s professional development and networking opportunities, the firm started a Women’s Forum in 2013, led by partners Rachel A. Alexander, Laura El-Sabaawi, and Eve Klindera Reed. The Women’s Forum provides Wiley attorneys with mentoring, career advancement, networking, and business development opportunities.

Firms that applied to be considered for the “Best Law Firms for Women” list were subject to intense research by Working Mother. The application included more than 300 questions about attorney representation at different levels, schedule flexibility, paid time off and parental leaves, and development and retention of women. Honorees will be recognized at a virtual ceremony on September 22.

The full list of the 2020 Best Law Firms for Women is available here.