Robins Kaplan LLP Increases Paid Parental Leave for all Regular Employees
Firm offers 10 weeks of paid parental leave in addition to applicable
medical leave
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Robins Kaplan LLP® announced today a new parental leave
program that will offer all regular employees 10 weeks of paid parental
leave in addition to applicable medical leave benefits, which will
generally provide a total of at least 16 paid weeks for birth mothers.
The policy is effective immediately.
“We recognize the need for competitive benefits that will allow our firm
members to continue to excel in both work and life,” said Steve
Schumeister, managing partner and member of the Executive Board at
Robins Kaplan. “The firm has always upheld a strong commitment to women
and diversity, and we believe this enhancement will further enable all
working parents to advance their careers as well as their families.”
In addition to increasing the amount of paid leave offered for
employees, the firm is rolling out several additional benefits to assist
attorneys in their transition back to work after parental leave. These
include a ramp-up period, which will allow each individual attorney to
increase the intensity of their practice at their own pace for up to
three months upon their return without any change in compensation; a
parental leave mentoring program that will be administered by the firm’s
Diversity & Inclusion Department; and an alternative work arrangements
policy that provides options for increased flexibility.
These enhancements are part of the firm’s Leaders Engaged in the
Advancement of Diversity (LEAD) initiative, established last year by the
Executive Board to focus on holding firm leaders accountable for the
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, people of color, and
LGBT individuals. Increasing support for working parents is one of eight
tactics identified within the initiative. Other LEAD tactics include
expanding the firm’s 1L program to increase the number of diverse
entry-level attorneys at the firm, implementing the “Rooney Rule” for
lateral associate candidates to ensure that diverse candidates are
considered for each open associate position, and conducting training
throughout the firm to increase awareness as to the impact of
unconscious bias.
“The LEAD initiative was established to ensure that we are able to
attract and retain the most talented people, and promote their success
at the firm for the long-term,” added Schumeister. “Coupled with the
increase in paid parental leave, we believe we have an environment that
will continue to serve and benefit our firm members and provide
exceptional service and value to our clients.”
About Robins Kaplan LLP®
Robins
Kaplan is among the nation’s premier trial law firms, with more than
220 lawyers located in Boston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Naples, Fla;
New York; and Silicon Valley. The firm litigates, mediates, and
arbitrates high-stakes, complex disputes, repeatedly earning national
recognition. Firm clients include—as both plaintiffs and
defendants—numerous Fortune 500 corporations, emerging-markets
companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
Contacts
Robins Kaplan LLP
Media Contact
Michelle Claypool,
612-349-0970
MClaypool@RobinsKaplan.com
