Leading from the Front

Setting The Standard

“All for one” parental leave benefits policy spearheaded by our Women's Initiative Task Force

16-week, 100% pay parental leave policy, approved by unanimous vote of the management committee.

Bottom line, this was a deliberate act to move us toward better and is a transformative moment for our culture – one that will benefit the firm for many years to come.

Robert Grand, Firm Managing Partner

Old Policy

12 weeks @ 10% pay for attorneys, paralegals and non-legal administrators only

6-8 weeks @ 100% pay for salaried staff, with required elimination period including vacation and incidental time

New Policy

16 weeks @ 100% pay for ALL fulltime employees – lawyers and nonlawyer professionals

Inclusive of male and female colleagues

Inclusive of adoptions

As a mom of two small children, I felt moved to join the Women’s Initiative Task Force and to give nonlawyer staff a voice in the firm’s strategic planning efforts…I’m extremely proud of Barnes & Thornburg for taking this leap.

Jennifer Borchelt, Legal Administrate Assistant

This is truly amazing. Thank you for being a leader in this space, especially in creating a gender neutral policy!

- Peter Lovins, Director of Legal Affairs, Columbus Blue Jackets

Our new policy is a direct reflection of the firm’s commitment to identify opportunities and eliminate barriers that impact the success of all members of the Barnes & Thornburg family.

Julia Spoor Gard, Chair of the Intellectual Property Department and Parental Leave Liaison