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Vacation and Leave Policies of Top Law Firms: Paternity and Maternity Leave and Gay Benefits

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published February 18, 2015

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Summary: Ever wondered what the vacation and leave policies were for the top law firms? Now you can find out.
 
Vacation and leave policies are important benefits to consider when choosing a law firm.

This chart covers maternity leave, paternity leave, and vacation policies at the top law firms in the United States, including whether or not the firm also gives the same rights to same sex couples. Areas of the chart that are blank are where the data couldn't be found for that law firm.

Use this chart to help you choose a law firm if you are a recent law graduate. It can also help you in switching firms if you are a seasoned attorney looking to make a lateral move.
 
Law Firm Vacation and Leave Policy Vacation Is there paid maternity leave? Is there paid paternity leave? Are adoption fees covered? Do gay couples get equal benefits?
Cleary 4 weeks (5 weeks after four years' employment) 18 weeks if primary caregiver 10 weeks if primary caregiver, 5 weeks if secondary caregiver    
Clifford Chance 4 weeks 18 weeks 8 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Cooley 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Cravath 4 weeks 20 weeks if primary caregiver, 12 weeks if adoptive primary caregiver 12 weeks if primary caregiver    
Crowell & Moring Unlimited 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Curtis 4 weeks 12 weeks 2 weeks    
Davis Polk 4 weeks (5 weeks after five years' employment) 18 weeks 10 weeks    
Debevoise 4 weeks 18 weeks (and 2 weeks prebirth leave) 10 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Dechert 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
DLA Piper Unlimited 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Duane Morris 4 weeks 13 weeks 1 week    
Dykema Unlimited 12 weeks 6 weeks   y
Epstein Becker & Green 4 weeks maximum 6-12 weeks (after 1 year's service) 1-2 weeks after one year's service    
Finnegan Unlimited 18 weeks 12 weeks   y
Fish & Richardson Unlimited 16 weeks 8 weeks    
Fitzpatrick 4 weeks 12 weeks 2 weeks   y
Foley & Lardner 3 weeks (less than 8 years), 4 weeks (more than 8 years) 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 12 weeks if secondary caregiver 10 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver $5,000 y
Fox Rothschild 4 weeks 12 weeks 2 weeks No, but paid leave is provided y
width:117pt" width="156">Freshfields
5.2 weeks 12 weeks (additional 12 weeks half salary for attorneys who have been with firm for 15 months plus) 2 weeks   y
Fried Frank 4 weeks 18 weeks 10 weeks   y
Gibbons 3 weeks 12 weeks 12 weeks    
Gibson Dunn Unlimited 18 weeks if primary caregiver 10 weeks if primary caregiver   y
Goodwin Procter 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver 10 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver    
Hangley 4 weeks 18 weeks 2 weeks    
Haynes and Boone 10 days (less than 3 years), 15 days (3-7 years), 20 days (7 years plus) 12 weeks (after 1 year's service) 4 weeks (after 1 year's service)    
Hogan Lovells 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver 10 weeks if primary caregiver $5,000 (lifetime maximum $10,000) y
Holland 4 weeks 16 weeks 6 weeks   y
Hunton & Williams 4 weeks 18 weeks 2 weeks $5,000  
Irell & Manella 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Jackson Walker Unlimited 12 weeks Unofficial; arranged with department    
Jenner & Block 3 weeks 12 weeks (plus short-term disability) 6 weeks   y
Jones Day 4 weeks 12 weeks 4 weeks    
K&L Gates 3-4 weeks 12 weeks 6 weeks   y
Kasowitz 4 weeks 12 weeks 0   y
Katten Muchin Unlimited 12 weeks 2 weeks   y
Kaye Scholer 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
King & Spalding 4 weeks 12 weeks if primary caregiver 12 weeks if primary caregiver    
Kirkland & Ellis Unlimited 16 weeks 10 weeks   y
Kramer Levin 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 14 weeks if secondary caregiver 8 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Latham & Watkins Unlimited 18 weeks if primary caregiver 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Linklaters 22 days 18 weeks if primary caregiver 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 2 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
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United States
width:117pt" width="156">Mayer Brown
Unlimited 18 weeks 6 weeks    
McGuireWoods 3 weeks 18 weeks 6 weeks $5,000 y
McKenna Long & Aldridge Unlimited 12 weeks 4 weeks   y
Milbank 4 weeks, 21 days (LA office) 18 weeks 18 weeks   y
Morgan Lewis 4 weeks 16 weeks if primary caregiver, 12 weeks if secondary caregiver 8 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver    
MoFo Unlimited 18 weeks 10 weeks    
Munger Unlimited 16 weeks 4 weeks   y
Nixon Peabody     4 weeks Up to $7,500  
Nutter 4 weeks 12 weeks 12 weeks    
O'Melveny & Myers 3-4 weeks depending on seniority and location 18 weeks 6 weeks   y
Orrick Unlimited 18 weeks 4 weeks   Yes, in states that do not recognize same-sex marriages
Patterson Belknap 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Patton Boggs 6 weeks 18 weeks 5 weeks   y
Paul, Weiss 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Pepper Hamilton 4 weeks 12 weeks 6 weeks    
Perkins Coie Unlimited 12 weeks 4 weeks (8 weeks for primary caregiver adoption) $5,000 y
Pillsbury 4 weeks 12 weeks 6 weeks   y
Proskauer 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks $5,000 y
Quinn Emanuel Starts at 3 weeks 16 weeks full time, primary caregiver 3 days    
Reed Smith 3    weeks (0-3 years from law school). 4    weeks (4 years plus from law school) 12 weeks (including 6 weeks of disability) 6 weeks   y
Ropes & Gray 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   Yes, in states that do not recognize same-sex marriages
Schiff Hardin 4 weeks minimum 18 weeks 4 weeks $5,000 y
Sedgwick Undisclosed 16 weeks 3 weeks   y
Seward & Kissel 4 weeks 12 weeks 2 weeks    
Shearman & Sterling 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Sheppard Mullin Unlimited 15 weeks 0    
Sidley Austin Undisclosed Undisclosed Undisclosed   Undisclosed
Simpson Thacher 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks   y
Skadden 4 weeks 18 weeks birth mother, 12 weeks primary caregiver, 4 weeks secondary caregiver 12 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   y
Snell & Wilmer Unlimited 12 weeks 12 weeks    
Squire Sanders     18 weeks    
Strasburger & Price Unlimited 12 weeks 0    
Stroock 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks    
Sullivan & Cromwell 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks $7,500 after one year's service  
Venable 3 weeks (up to a year with the firm), 4 weeks (over a year with the firm) 18 weeks if primary caregiver 4 weeks if secondary caregiver    
Vinson Elkins 3 weeks (1-3 years), 4 weeks (4 years plus) 12 weeks 12 weeks   y
Waller 2 weeks (up to 3 years of employment), 3 weeks (after 3 years) 12 weeks 0 (up to 12 weeks unpaid leave) Pre-tax contributions through section 125 F.S.A.  
Weil 4 weeks 18 weeks 10 weeks   y
White & Case Unlimited 16-18 weeks depending on length of service 4 weeks y
Wiley Rein 4 weeks 18 weeks 4 weeks    
Willkie Farr & Gallagher 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver 4 weeks    
WilmerHale 4 weeks 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver 18 weeks if primary caregiver, 4 weeks if secondary caregiver   Y
Wiltshire & Grannis Unlimited 12 weeks (or within reason if exempt) 12 weeks (or within reason if exempt)    
Winston & Strawn Unlimited 18 weeks 10 weeks   y

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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