Biglaw, Kids, Perks / Fringe Benefits, Pregnancy / Paternity

Biglaw Perk Watch: Mayer Brown Matches 18 Weeks

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These announcements aren’t the most exciting things to read (or report on). But we’ve spoken to a number of associates and law students, especially women, who follow them closely. So we’ll continue posting them (and they’re easy to skip over anyway).
The latest law firm to improve its parental leave policy is Mayer Brown. Check out their memo, issued earlier today, after the jump.


MAYER BROWN — MEMORANDUM — NEW LEAVE POLICY
M E M O R A N D U M
February 15, 2008
TO: All Attorneys in the U.S. Offices
FROM: James Holzhauer
Kenneth Geller
Paul Maher
RE: New Leave Policy for Paid Parental / Eldercare Leaves
We are very pleased to announce that the Policy & Planning Committee has approved an increase in the amount of paid leave provided to attorneys in caring for their families. The Firm has increased paid maternity and parental leave for lawyers who work in our U.S. offices from 12 weeks up to a total of 18 weeks, inclusive of medical leave. For adoptions, the primary caregiver of a newly adopted child will now have paid parental leave for 18 weeks (previously 6 weeks). Both are effective January 1, 2008. The details of this paid leave are as follows:
• Maternity Leave: A maternity disability leave with full salary is granted to women lawyers in connection with the birth of a child. (This is generally six weeks after the birth of the child but can be longer if the disability extends more than six weeks.)
• Parental Leave: A 12 week leave of absence with full salary is granted to lawyers who are the primary caregivers (i.e., the person who has primary responsibility for the care and welfare of the child during normal working hours) in connection with the birth of a child. [FN1]
• Adoption Leave: An 18 week leave of absence with full salary is granted to an adoptive parent who is the primary caregiver of a newly adopted child.
• Eldercare Leave: Lawyers who need time to serve as primary caregiver for elderly family members may take up to 6 weeks leave with full salary.
In addition, we will offer a coaching program to provide support to new parents returning to work from maternity, parental and adoption leave who are facing the challenges of integrating the demands of work and family life.
As noted above, these new benefits are effective January 1, 2008 and apply to any births or adoptions that occur on or after that date and to anyone who was on paid maternity or adoption leave as of January 1, 2008. In all cases, paid leave runs concurrently with (and is not in addition to) leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and any state laws that provide leave for similar purposes. The full details of these new policies will be distributed shortly.
Mayer Brown is committed to providing a workplace that is supportive of attorneys and their families and that allows for time to focus on these important aspects of family life. Please contact [xxxx] at [xxx.xxx.xxxx] if you have any questions.
[FN1] Secondary caregivers will continue to be eligible for six weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child.

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