Covington has a very good reduced hours policy. It was listed among Working Mothers' "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (2006), and rated #4 of the top 10 family-friendly law firms by the Yale Law Women (2006-07).

Both partners and associates can work part-time at Covington.  Attorneys reduce their hours for a variety of reasons, including teaching, community service, and politics.

Covington encourages part-times schedules of 70-75% of conventional workload but should be at least 60%, on the view that these levels provide sufficient involvement in firm and client matters to make the arrangements workable.

Part-time associates remain on the partnership track, but the partnership decision may be delayed based on the amount of time the attorney has been on a part-time schedule and how reduced the schedule has been. In recent years, four associates have become partners while working on a part-time schedule.

Part-time attorneys remain eligible for bonuses, which may be pro-rated.  Bonuses are not based solely on the number of hours worked.

The firm has designated partners in each of the firm's offices to consult on alternative work arrangements and to counsel and support lawyers who are working part-time or other alternative schedules. The firm has also created a Work-Family Balance Group, a forum for women and men at the firm to discuss work/life issues. The group holds informal lunches on a monthly basis and hosts outside speakers to provide advice and views on a variety of issues.