One BigLaw Firm Embraces Gender-Neutral Parental Leave

Chicago-based Winston & Strawn LLP has decided to offer 20 weeks of paid parental leave for associates and of counsel attorneys of any gender, and in any country. The time off may be taken in either one or two separate chunks within the first year of a child’s life, and the policy does not require couples to designate a “primary caregiver.” Winston & Strawn are following in the footsteps of many major tech companies, like Netflix and Facebook, that recently introduced similar parental leave policies. But the step is unusual in the world of BigLaw, and indicates the firm may be looking at how to attract and retain high-level attorneys.