(CHICAGO) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that, for the ninth consecutive year, the firm was selected as part of the 2016 "50 Best Law Firms for Women" list by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers. The distinction recognizes law firms that are leading the industry in creating and using best practices in retaining and promoting women lawyers.

"Katten has long been a leader in developing fresh, forward-thinking policies geared toward retaining and promoting women attorneys throughout the different phases of their personal and professional lives," said Katten CEO Noah Heller. "Our strong commitment to the advancement of women is driven by the fact that they play a key role in the leadership, success and vitality of our firm."

For nearly a decade, Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers have honored Katten for its leadership in supporting the advancement of women in law. This year, the firm was praised for its child care leave, phase-back options and new-parent career coaching program as well as for the work of its Women's Leadership Forum (WLF).

Katten offers innovative leave and flexibility policies as well as enhanced paid child care leave for primary caregivers after childbirth and adoption. The opportunity to take a one-month paid sabbatical is extended to eligible associates after completing their fifth year of work at the firm. The firm also offers a three-month Transition-Back-to-Work program and attorneys can request alternative work schedules, allowing them the flexibility to meet both client and family needs.

"From early on in my career, I've had great support from the firm and great mentors who have given me the flexibility needed to structure a schedule that works for my family and me," said Laura Keidan Martin, who is head of the firm's national Health Care practice, national chair of its WLF and a mother of two. "Katten's leadership in this area is due to the tremendous dedication and commitment of many people throughout the years who recognize that workplace flexibility and support for women attorneys are vital to the strength and success of our firm."

Katten has a strong history of implementing innovative workplace policies and initiatives geared toward retaining female attorneys and giving them the tools to balance work and family. A pioneering concept when it was created many years ago, the WLF continues to provide mentoring, training and quality programming to a new generation of attorneys looking for the support they need to succeed in their careers. WLF works with representatives in every Katten office to develop skill-building programs, networking events and forums for female attorneys to discuss issues that impact them in the legal workplace.

Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers co-founded the "50 Best Law Firms for Women" list in 2007 to recognize firms that lead the industry in initiatives for women's business development and career advancement, plus offer flexible work arrangements and generous paid parental leave, among other important benefits.

Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother Media, said, "Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers' 'Best Law Firms' show how to make it work. Despite intense pressures, the success of the firms in creating workable solutions for working families shows their commitment and ingenuity to create a progressive future for their firms."

Deborah Epstein Henry, president of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, added, "In reflecting on the decade since we began the 'Best Law Firms for Women' initiative, we are pleased to see firms competing to make their environments more hospitable for women to both work and thrive. The greater level of awareness and commitment to make change is what will enable women to propel to the next level."

Flex-Time Lawyers LLC is an international consulting firm founded by Deborah Epstein Henry in the late 1990s, providing advisory, training and speaking services to employers and professionals on work-life balance, retaining and promoting women, and the future of the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.flextimelawyers.com.

Working Mother Media (WMM), a division of Bonnier Corporation (bonnier.com), publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com. WMM's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine reaches more than 2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers.