Female Shareholders Now Majority at Nilan Johnson Lewis

MINNEAPOLIS, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In a profession where the gap between female and male shareholders is significant and enduring, women at Minneapolis law firm Nilan Johnson Lewis (NJL) now comprise 53 percent of the firm's total shareholders — a rarity in the field of law. The mid-size firm, which employs 50 attorneys overall, has established a rare recipe for success, retaining and advancing female lawyers at a ratio three times the national average of 19 percent (Pushing Diversity in the Legal Profession, Society for Human Resource Management citing statistic from 2009-2010 NALP Directory of Legal Employers).

"We understand that flexibility is part of attracting and retaining the talented people our clients want," said firm President, Matthew Damon, "and the focus on talent has always driven our approach to diversity."  "But, more generally, we've also set out to do things differently here. So, rather than just accept the notion that women can't consistently succeed at the highest levels of private practice, we've taken a longer view of success. What we've concluded is that our investment can yield not only fulfilling long-term careers, but a heightened sense of loyalty to the firm and, as a result, greater stability for clients.  It's a no brainer for us and, more important, for our clients."

Mentoring, parental leave and a commitment to long-term career goals have all made a critical difference, especially with women in leadership positions; four of the six practice groups are chaired by women and half of the firm's management committees are also chaired by women.

A concerted organizational effort is made to eliminate roadblocks many women face in reaching shareholder status at other firms. A key uncertainty for many women is the potential for setbacks when taking maternity leave. Nilan Johnson Lewis is transparent in its approach, and parental leave has little consequence on career advancement.  Flexible leave arrangements combined with complete reintegration upon return to the firm spells out a great formula for retention of women.

"I was elected to shareholder while out on my first maternity leave," said Sandra Jezierski in NJL's labor and employment group.  "The firm was completely supportive of both of my maternity leaves.   My colleagues took care of my clients while I was gone and not only handed the work back to me upon my return, but made sure I was reintegrated immediately.  It's all about trust."    

Nilan Johnson Lewis also has a very active mentoring program.  Currently, 60 percent of the firm's mentors are women.  The firm encourages mentees to seek out mentors who have a reputation, practice or personal interests that are compatible with the mentee's own.

"Several mentors have been integral to my professional development at the firm," said Kari Hainey, who was recently elected shareholder while working on a part-time schedule and just two weeks before she gave birth to her third child. "Our mentoring program has not only assisted in developing my skills as a lawyer, but helped me strike the right balance between the multiple roles I play as a working parent."  

About Nilan Johnson Lewis

Founded in 1996, Nilan Johnson Lewis has built its reputation by putting clients first and building a practice centered on excellence and defining the next generation of law firm. The firm focuses on five areas of practice: labor and employment, business law, product liability/mass tort litigation, commercial litigation, and health law/consulting.

SOURCE Nilan Johnson Lewis