Working Mother Magazine Names Manatt One of the Nation's Best Law Firms for Women

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, has been named one of the 2013 Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers "50 Best Law Firms for Women." Manatt was honored for its excellence in creating flexibility and innovative professional development programs designed to retain women lawyers and advance them into the leadership pipeline. The purpose of the list is to celebrate the law firms that are most successful in retaining and promoting women lawyers. This is Manatt's sixth appearance on the prestigious list — one for each year the designation has been bestowed.

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The Best Law Firms for Women are featured in the August/September issue of Working Mother magazine.

"Manatt embraces progressive core values and an explicit commitment to diversity and inclusion," said William T. Quicksilver, Manatt's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner. "And we are dedicated to turning that commitment into action, developing tools that empower our women lawyers. Manatt utilizes technology to break down barriers, linking professionals across the firm's eight offices nationwide into a unified, supportive community. Forward-thinking programs and activities assist women lawyers in meeting the professional and personal challenges that too often become barriers to success. We are honored that Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers have once again recognized our efforts."

The law firms were selected based on hard data, including the percentage of female representation in associate and partner ranks, compensation, and a record of female advancement to equity partnership and firm leadership. The publication also looked for a demonstrated commitment to women's initiatives; to fostering an inclusive workplace culture; to providing benefits, parental leave, and childcare policies that encourage flexibility; and an institutional emphasis on professional development, mentoring, and community involvement.

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, says that Manatt and the other law firms on the list have "created the ultimate benchmark in the profession. They not only offer excellent flexibility and advancement policies to retain and grow their female talent, they fight for issues crucial to women worldwide through their powerful pro bono programs. Last year, 69 percent of the Best Law Firms had one or more women in their top ten rainmakers; this year, the number has gone up to 78 percent," a testament to the firms' management and to those who are rising through the ranks."

In its profile of Manatt, Working Mother noted that firm lawyers had "bonded with top clients at the inaugural summit held by this firm's women's initiative in May 2012, which found attendees exploring the best ways to accelerate their professional growth." Manatt's second annual invitation-only women's summit convened in May of this year.

The Best Law Firms for Women list was developed in a partnership between Working Mother Media and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC in 2006. U.S. firms with at least 50 lawyers were eligible to take part, answering detailed questions about the issues that are most important to the retention and promotion of female lawyers.

This year's list of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women is available online at Working Mother magazine's website, www.workingmother.com.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

CONTACT:

Lawrence Martinez, (310) 231-5443
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

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