Jill Wilson was recently asked by Best Lawyers to write a piece on the importance of paid leave. Her piece is one of eight by female attorneys to be featured in the spring issue of the publication.
In her column, Wilson writes why it is important for law firms to give both men and women paid leave to deal with family issues, whether that be the birth of a child or caring for an aging parent.
As Wilson says: "First, firms need to create leave policies and practices which do not heavily penalize attorneys who make choices related to family care or work-life balance. Second, firms need to communicate their genuine support for attorneys' long-term body of work and their willingness to contribute to opportunities for a full and meaningful life within the financial structure of a law firm. Attorneys who feel valued and supported are happier, have greater job satisfaction, and most importantly, a greater loyalty to the firm that supported them when they needed support."