Bass, Berry & Sims Named One of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women
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Bass, Berry & Sims has been named one of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women in the United States by Working Mother magazine. Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers partner annually to recognize 50 law firms that have created a workplace that encourages the retention and advancement of women.
“Bass, Berry & Sims is honored to be named as one of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women,” says Managing Partner Keith Simmons. “This recognition from Working Mother magazine reaffirms that we have a great place to work and that our diligence in attracting, retaining and promoting female attorneys is working.”
Women comprise 36 percent of the firm’s attorney workforce and women hold several leadership roles within the firm, including Leigh Walton (Executive Committee), Anna Grizzle (Entry Level Hiring chair), Cindy Sellers (Business Development and Client Relations chair), Karen S. Neal (Diversity Committee chair), and Tara Swafford and Andrea McKellar (co-chairs of the firm’s Female Mentor Group).
Bass, Berry & Sims has implemented several initiatives that helped tip the scales in the firm’s favor for this survey. “Our formal policy regarding alternative work schedules is a real positive. We recognize that a work/life balance is important for our attorneys,” says Neal.
The firm’s successful Female Mentor Group promotes collegiality and networking among women attorneys and serves as a way to share knowledge and experiences on being a successful practitioner and balancing work and family. “The environment at Bass, Berry & Sims makes being a working mom possible,” says Swafford. “There is an incredible support network here within the firm and especially within the Female Mentor Group.”
Since 2005, the Female Mentor Group has hosted the popular “Salute to Women Executives,” an annual program for the firm’s executive female clients that focuses on the success of women in the workforce. In addition, the group holds networking events throughout the year for the firm’s female clients to get to know one another. “These types of programs are a win-win for us and for our clients. It’s all about building relationships,” says McKellar.
Bass, Berry & Sims is profiled in the August/September issue of Working Mother and at www.workingmother.com and www.flextimelawyers.com. The firm was selected based on workforce profile, family-friendly benefits and policies, flexibility, leadership, compensation, advancement and retention of women.
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