Taking parental leave generally has no effect on partnership track. Multiple parental leaves, or lengthy leaves for other reasons, may result in sufficient reduction in experience and career development that may delay partnership consideration. The period before which the associate would be considered for partnership is not extended by the length of time of the parental leave. In the past five years, fifteen associates who have taken parental leave have become partners with their classes. Kirkland's parental leave policy applies equally for both birth parents and adoptive parents and coordinates with the provisions of The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Birth mothers are also eligible for disability leave.
Individual lawyers are able to negotiate a part-time or flexible work schedule by submitting a request for such a schedule to the Firm's Administrative Committee for approval. As of May 2001, we had sixteen attorneys working on reduced schedules. Annual fees for membership are covered by the Firm. In addition, Kirkland has a Dependent Care Assistance Plan in place to reimburse employees for dependent care expenses for a child or elder care on a pre-tax salary reduction basis.