The Project for Attorney Retention

Welcome to the Project for Attorney Retention (PAR). PAR works to reduce unwanted attrition among lawyers, a benefit for both legal employers and lawyers, by promoting work/life balance and the advancement of women inthe legal profession.

We are an initiative of The Center for WorkLife Law of the University of California Hastings College of the Law, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and other grantors.

Our research keeps us at the forefront of organizations studying work/life balance. We devise business-based solutions that provide best practices to law firms, law departments, lawyers, and students. Our goal is to create a legal profession that is more inclusive and more responsive to clients.

What are Balanced Hours?

"Balanced hours" programs, unlike traditional part-time programs, allow attorneys to work individually-tailored, reduced schedules that are designed to meet the firm's business needs while maintaining the attorney's ability to work and to develop professionally without stigma. Balanced hours programs involve active management of workloads in proportion to reduced hours, emphasize client service, and promote the values of the firm.

Business Case for Balanced Hours

Read here why balanced hours benefit firms' bottom lines

Book Now Available!

Solving the Part-Time Puzzle: The Law Firm's Guide to Balanced Hours

By Joan C. Williams and Cynthia Thomas Calvert , NALP 2004

Solving the Part-Time Puzzle provides a clear roadmap for law firms that want to create and implement an effective, non-stigmatized part-time policy.

Available from NALP and amazon.com

PAR Names Work/Life Role Models to Advisory Council

Read more here

Opting Back In

A telephone coaching group for attorneys who left law for a year or more to care for their families.

Continuing program. The group is currently full. Please call 415-581-8826S if you would like to be placed on the waiting list.

The Scoop

Information about work/life and part-time in Law Firms: Which firms are best? Which are worst?

Best Practices

PAR's research has resulted in a set of best practices for law firms that want to have good balanced hour programs that are effective retention and recruitment tools. New best practices will be posted from time to time -- check back often!

Read PAR's Best Practices
click here.

New Models of Legal Practice

Does law have to be practiced in 60-hour work weeks in a small office downtown? Read about the unique and creative ways these "new model" firms have structured their work to maximize productivity and achieve balance.

Read about the New Models of Legal Practice here

PAR Consultants

Need some help with balanced hours at your firm? PAR has consultants who are available to work with you.

Click here for more information

Corporate Counsel Project

Final Report: Better on Balance?