Infobit: Since 1985, law schools have been graduating classes of new lawyers that are 40% or more female. Yet in 1996, only 14.2% of law firm partners were women, and in 2005, only 17.2% were women. (Note: this figure is for all partners; the number of equity partners is lower.) Source: Catalyst. At this rate of increase, women should make up half of law firm partners by the year 2115.

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7. Before an attorney begins to work part-time at my firm

Typically, attorneys and their supervisors are given no training in how to make a reduced hours schedule work. Each may have different expectations and fears or prejudices may prevent him or her from communicating the expectations. We hear many stories of great part-time schedules that turn into nightmares because of a lack of communication.

At some cutting-edge corporations, training related to alternative schedules is incorporated into diversity training to ensure that co-workers who are on full-time schedules understand the issues for part-timers and donít feel resentful or unwittingly make life difficult for the part-timers. At these same corporations, individuals about to embark on a reduced hours schedule are given close support and supervision in designing a part-time program that will meet their needs and the business need of their employer. Details such as technology and flexibility for emergencies are also worked out ahead of time.

If similar training cannot be provided at your firm, answer c meeting with an advisor, is better than nothing.

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