K&L Gates Adopts Leave Re-Integration, Enhanced Parental Leave Policies

Pittsburgh - Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has adopted a new policy to assist lawyers taking any kind of planned, approved leave of 12 or more weeks. The “Ramp Down, Ramp Up, & Re-Integration” program is designed to smooth the lawyer’s transition from, and to, a standard work schedule.

Available to lawyers across the firm’s global platform, the new program allows for reduced utilization targets during the last full-calendar month prior to the planned leave and three full months of reduced utilization goals upon returning from leave without an adverse impact on compensation or bonus eligibility. Additionally, the program provides a re-integration team approach to ensure the lawyer is integrated successfully back into work and the law firm.

“We recognize that the time before and after planned leaves of absence can sometimes be challenging for our lawyers and their families,” said K&L Gates Global Managing Partner Jim Segerdahl. “This policy demonstrates the firm’s commitment to our lawyers’ personal and professional well-being, and our understanding that K&L Gates professionals and clients are better served through these types of commitments to our lawyers’ success.”
 
The policy was developed by a team of staff and lawyers of varying levels across the United States, including members of the firm’s Management, Women in the Profession, and Global Associate Liaison committees.
 
The “Ramp Down, Ramp Up, & Re-Integration” program is the latest policy enhancement K&L Gates has employed to assist its lawyers and staff in the leave process. Early last year, K&L Gates expanded its parental leave policy to allow qualifying lawyers to take up to 24 weeks of total leave. Lawyers are also able to divide their parental leave into two increments providing further flexibility. The change in policy amounts to an additional six weeks of firm paid leave for lawyers.