Bass, Berry & Sims PLC Named a '2009 Best Law Firm for Women'
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, a leading corporate law firm, has been named by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, as a "Best Law Firm for Women" for the second consecutive year.
Working Mother, the authoritative source for career mothers, and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, a national consulting firm, selected 50 law firms that have redefined diversity standards with workplaces that encourage the retention and advancement of women.
The winning firms have at least 8 percent lawyers working reduced hours (versus an average 5 percent nationwide) and at least 20 percent women equity partners (versus an average 16 percent nationwide). Bass, Berry & Sims PLC was recognized for a number of ongoing related initiatives, including increased use of flex-time, reduced-hour schedules, and other family-friendly policies.
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC's diversity-oriented initiatives also extend to marketing and business development. Since 2005, the firm's Female Mentor Group has hosted the "Salute to Women Executives," an annual program that connects its women attorneys to female executives and legal service buyers.
"As the recession has created a shift in the legal industry, now is the time to establish mutually beneficial, cost-effective reforms that enable working moms to succeed at home and in the courtroom," Karen S. Neal, chair of the firm's diversity committee, said. "When the market improves, the war for talent will resume, and big salaries and bonuses will no longer be the pivotal means to draw top talent."
Women comprise 32 percent of the firm's attorney workforce, many in leadership roles. Among these leaders are Leigh Walton (Executive Committee member and co-chair of the Healthcare Practice Group), Anna Grizzle (Entry Level Hiring chair), Cindy Sellers (Business Development and Client Relations chair), Karen S. Neal (Diversity Committee chair), Laura Brothers (Female Mentor Group chair), and Susan Foxman (Personal Development Committee chair).
With more than 200 attorneys representing numerous publicly-traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has been involved in some of the largest and most important business transactions and litigation matters in the country. For more information, visit www.bassberry.com.
