Here at Above the Law, we make it a habit to cover whenever a Biglaw firm expands its parental leave. The move is a growing trend to be sure, and the expanded programs are regularly offered now as gender neutral and without a primary caregiver stipulation. This is good news we should — and are! — celebrating. But we also hope to build the pressure and shame on the firms whose policies and entrenched in the past.
Anyway, on to the good news!
Yesterday, Kramer Levin announced some big changes to their parental leave policy. The firm’s policy — which it should be noted applies to all employees, not just lawyers — will allow new parents, regardless of parenting role, to take 12 weeks’ paid leave. This is on top of any disability leave. And the policy applies to births, adoptions and foster care placements of a child.
Kudos to the firm!
With more and more firms stepping up, expanded, gender neutral leave may start to feel de rigueur, and that’s a good thing. But we should also remember it’s an important step, one experts say will help ameliorate the gender pay gap. And that’s good news we can all get behind.
Check out the firm’s complete policy below.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).