Parenting and BigLaw - Top Law Firms That Have The Best Parental Leave Policies

Becoming a parent changes your life in ways that you wouldn't necessarily expect, but one change that is often imposed upon working parents is a change of career because the firm they work for cannot accommodate long periods of parental leave, requests for flexible or remote working or short notice changes to schedules.

Children get ill, teachers strike, plans change. All of these things are part and parcel of having children - even with the best family support system and child care in the world, the unexpected will happen so it is worth knowing which BigLaw law firms will have your back before you bring a new bundle of joy into the world.

UK firms

CMS tailors its offering to each individual's circumstances, taking a flexible approach that promotes an excellent work-life balance, with employees entitled to up to 2 years at home following the birth of their child.

Lewis Silkin LLP does not discriminate against any new parents based upon their gender identity and instead allows its employees to take up to 52 weeks leave following the birth of a child, with 26 weeks of that at full pay, structuring their leave period as they see fit to best suit their personal circumstances and preferences. Additionally, the firm fully funds an extra 12 weeks leave for parents whose babies require neonatal care. They also enable new parents to return to work with reduced targets, allowing them time to settle back into the workplace.

Thorntons' very generous parental leave policy offers new parents, whether they be biological or adoptive parents, up to 26 weeks parental leave at full pay, a further 13 weeks parental leave at half pay and a 12 week phased return to work, in which the employee receives their full salary while working 50% of their contracted working hours.

Macfarlanes allows mothers to take 26 weeks off at full pay, with statutory maternity pay for the following 13 weeks. The firm also pays 4 weeks of full salary paternity leave to new fathers, allowing them ample time to support their partners and bond with their new baby.

Finally, Ashurst LLP and Clyde & Co both offer their employees 26 weeks parental leave at full pay.

US firms

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's parental leave policy entitles its employees to 30 weeks leave at full pay following the birth of a new baby.

Morrison & Foerster offers its UK based employees 26 weeks parental leave at full pay, with the option to receive statutory maternity pay for a further 13 weeks. The company also pays new fathers full pay for up to 6 weeks' paternity leave, allowing fathers to share early childcare responsibilities.

Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft is another US firm that offers its UK based employees 26 weeks of maternity leave at full pay.

It is really heartening that so many law firms are recognising the importance of realistic parental leave policies. Not only do these policies clearly set out the firm's expectations but they can improve diversity and inclusivity, aid recruitment and retention and allow working parents to continue to perform the job that they love while simultaneously raising the next generation.

If you are looking for your next opportunity and want to join a law firm whose family friendly policies resonate with your own view of the world, please contact Interlink Talent Solutions today and let us guide you towards the job of your dreams.

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