Indianapolis – Ice Miller LLP has been named among the 2013 ” 50 Best Law Firms for Women,” by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers. Ice Miller was recognized for the Firm's intensive mentoring to strengthen skills and devise long-range business plans to help its lawyers succeed in the marketplace.
“We are committed to the success of our female lawyers, supporting them in a variety of ways, from strategic business development to promoting family friendly values,” said Ice Miller Deputy Managing Partner Brenda Horn. “We are very proud of the professional and personal achievements of the women lawyers in the firm and are focused on continuing to foster a culture which makes it possible for our women lawyers to be leaders within the firm and in the communities in which we practice.”
Ice Miller's recognition by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers noted: “Intensive mentoring is a boon to new lawyers at this firm, who work with both peers and partners to strengthen core skills and devise long-range plans. On-site exercise classes, reimbursed gym memberships and $1,000 health-savings-account grants encourage fitness.”
Currently, 37 percent of the Firm's 300 attorneys are women. Moreover, 24 percent of the Firm's equity partners are women, and 22 percent of nonequity partners are women. Ice Miller's leadership team of four includes one woman equity partner, and 26 percent of the Firm's practice group leaders are women. The representation of women lawyers in the partnership has been consistent for a number of years, comparing very favorably to other law firms in the Midwest and across the United States.
In the past 18 months, Ice Miller has been recognized often for its efforts in developing, mentoring and supporting its female lawyers. In 2012, The American Lawyer magazine, as part of its publication's “Women in Law Firms” issue, ranked Ice Miller third in the nation for the Firm's percentage of female equity partners among the Am Law 200 firms. Ice Miller was the only Midwest-based law firm recognized amongst the top five law firms in the country. In addition, MultiCultural Law magazine ranked Ice Miller 15th in the “Top 100 Law Firms for Women” listing, and 11th in the publication's “Top 25 Law Firms for African-Americans” among the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity in 2012.
“We are delighted to see, in our 2012 data, that firms are increasingly focused on pay equity, leadership and sponsorship of women, in addition to creating a more work/life hospitable environment,” said Deborah Epstein Henry, president of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC. “It is critical that firms simultaneously support women's path to power as well as the ability of all lawyers to pursue multiple career models of success.”
Since 2007, the Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers Best Law Firms for Women initiative has recognized U.S. law firms that create and use best practices in retaining and promoting women lawyers. The winning firms lead the industry in supporting flexible work arrangements and offering generous paid parental leave. The Best Law Firms also ensure that lawyers who take advantage of family friendly programs are not excluded from the partnership or leadership track.
