International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP is pleased to announce enhanced Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance benefits.
Attorney Paid Parental Leave Benefits
The Paid Parental Leave for lawyers will increase from 10 weeks to 15 weeks. Attorneys who have children born or placed for adoption on or after January 1, 2020, will be eligible for 15 weeks of Paid Parental Leave. The leave benefits are in addition to any disability benefits paid to lawyers who give birth. Where local law provides paid parental leave, Dorsey will supplement those benefits so that attorneys receive at least 15 weeks of fully-paid parental leave.
Attorney Ramp Down and Ramp Up
As of January 1, 2020, lawyers who take at least 12 continuous weeks of Paid Parental Leave will have their billable hours expectation reduced by 50% during the four weeks before and after that period of leave with no reduction in salary. This reduction in the billable hours expectation is intended to ease the transitions that happen for attorneys before and after parental leave.
Staff Paid Parental Leave Benefits
Dorsey provides Paid Parental Leave to benefits-eligible staff and to staff who have children born or placed for adoption. Staff receive eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave in addition to any applicable short-term disability leave for childbirth.
Adoption Assistance Benefits
Dorsey has also increased its reimbursement offered through our Adoption Assistance Plan for all U.S. benefits eligible employees. The reimbursement amount will increase from $5,000 to $10,000 for qualified adoption expenses.
Dorsey is committed to being a place where all are valued and able to have a balanced family life with exceptional benefits.
“We are committed to being a family-friendly workplace and to having the policies and benefits in place that enable our attorneys and staff to manage their professional and personal lives in the way that works best for them. We believe this benefits our lawyers, the Firm as a whole, and most importantly, our clients,” said Bill Stoeri, Dorsey’s Managing Partner.
Dorsey has received external recognition for being an employer that is supportive of women and parents including being named a Best Law Firm for Women by Working Mother magazine, an Adoption Advocate by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum.