San Francisco, CA (August 21, 2009) - Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as a leading law firm for women by two prominent publications.  For the second year in a row, Working Mother magazine has named Littler among its 2009 “50 Best Law Firms for Women.”  In addition, The American Lawyer ranked Littler as the #1 law firm for women in its first ever “Women in Law Firms” study.

The “50 Best Law Firms for Women” were measured on their commitment to work-life balance, family-friendly benefits and policies, flexibility, leadership, compensation and the development and advancement of women.  Working Mother magazine, in partnership with Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, developed the award to recognize those law firms with a demonstrated commitment to promoting and retaining female lawyers.  Littler, along with the other law firms that were recognized, will be featured in a special supplement of the August/September issue of Working Mother.

Littler's efforts to create a supportive workplace environment for women have also resulted in its ranking as the #1 law firm for women in the "Women in Law Firms" study conducted by The American Lawyer.  This ranking, based on a comparative study of percentages of female attorneys at law firms across the U.S., showed that Littler had the highest percentage of female attorneys from among many of the country’s most esteemed law firms.

“Littler has long been committed to the retention and advancement of women,” said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the Firm.  “We are very proud of the supportive workplace that we have created for all attorneys and staff.  We are clearly honored that Littler has been recognized by these two highly regarded publications,” he added. 

Littler’s programs include it’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and Work-Life Balance Program.  The Women’s Leadership Initiative supports and educates both women and men on efforts that enhance and increase the number of leadership opportunities for both  while creating a balance between work and personal life.  The Work-Life Balance Program is designed for attorneys to discuss common issues, challenges, solutions and best practices for maintaining a balanced family life and work life.  The Firm also offers remote working opportunities and flex-time options.  As a result of such female-friendly initiatives, the Firm has built a practice in which women account for 43 percent of its lawyers.

“We are extremely proud that our success in enhancing the workplace for women has been recognized by The American Lawyer and Working Mother,” said Linda Headley, shareholder and one of the leaders of Littler’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.  “Littler continues to implement new family-friendly policies to help women balance the demanding needs of work and home life.  As a mother of four children, daughter of elderly parents and senior shareholder working with younger women attorneys, I have observed the tremendous benefit that these policies and programs provide in helping our women attorneys successfully strike that balance,” she added. 

About Working Mother Media and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

Celebrating 30 years, Working Mother magazine reaches 2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers while workingmother.com provides a broad range of daily insight and solutions to working mothers.  Flex-Time Lawyers LLC® is a national consulting firm advising the legal profession on work/life balance, law firm restructure, and the retention and promotion of women. 

About The American Lawyer

The American Lawyer, the nation's leading monthly magazine for lawyers, covers the business of the most successful law firms across the U.S. and around the world. Subscribers include managing partners and practice leaders at the largest law firms in the U.S., as well as general counsel at the Fortune 500.  Coverage includes in-depth features, management reports on major cases and deals, surveys, technology reviews, lifestyle coverage and columns from experienced reporters, prominent legal consultants and analysts.

About Littler Mendelson

With more than 750 attorneys and 47 offices, Littler Mendelson is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. As the only U.S. member of the Ius Laboris global alliance, Littler has extensive resources to address the global needs of clients, from navigating foreign employment laws and international labor relations issues to applying corporate policies on a global basis. Established in 1942, the Firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record. For more information, visit littler.com.