After my parental leave, we worked together to find the right working time model for me.
Annabelle’s story
My name is Annabelle, I’m French and I’ve been living in Berlin for about ten years. My journey with Freshfields began about ten years ago, even if it was interrupted by a few “breaks”. The first was after my time as a research assistant and the second during my parental leave. I have always been impressed by the flexibility Freshfields offers me. Both part-time and hybrid work were possible at any time – we always found a solution for the relevant challenge.
Women Associate Mentoring, Reverse Mentoring & Parent Groups
The mentoring programmes (Women Associate Mentoring, Reverse Mentoring) that I am fortunate enough to participate in create spaces for dialogue on a variety of issues. These initiatives evolve the firm and our culture on a daily basis. The parent groups founded by parents and actively supported by Freshfields are also perfect examples of specific solutions.
Other Stories
Empowering tomorrow in a changing world.
Benefits
Discover the variety of your Freshfields Experience: where career and flexibility come together. This creates space for your individual development.
Parent groups
Our internal parent groups actively promote dialogue between mothers and fathers. We are convinced that the dialogue with other working parents offers valuable suggestions for successfully balancing work and family life.
Paid Parental Leave
Reconciling work and family life doesn’t have to be left to chance. This is why we support parents with additional months of paid parental leave beyond their statutory entitlement.
Learning & Development
Our comprehensive programme offers you personal and professional support in all phases of your career.
Handling peak workloads
While we are driven by exciting mandates, we take work overload seriously. That’s why we offer individual recreation options after intense work phases.
Digital detox
As our top priority is to provide our clients with excellent advice, we ensure that there is adequate cover during holidays and that recreation is possible without permanent availability.
Flexible working time models
We have individual working time models at every career level. Part-time lawyers? No exception for us.
Mobile working & working from home
We achieve success together, no matter where we are. Flexible working options such as working from home and mobile working have proven successful and are easy to implement. However, that is not to say that we don’t have great social events and team lunches.
Shaping the future together
We think globally and keep local needs in mind. On each country’s Advisory Board, employees actively participate in shaping decisions and opinions locally. This ensures that we always work in an environment that evolves in line with our colleagues’ needs.
A clear career path
Transparency is important to us. Our clear criteria for promotions provide tangible prospects for personal career development.
Top IT infrastructure
Our expertise is first-class, and our way of working, too. Modern technology and IT equipment are a matter of course for us.
Sabbaticals for Principal Associates
We encourage individual development in your professional life and beyond. Our Principal Associates have the opportunity to take a six-week paid sabbatical after one year.
Visible appreciation
We succeed as a team and communicate that externally. We acknowledge everyone’s contribution equally in internal and external communication.
Pro Bono
We offer a growing continental European and German pro bono practice, both for the direct management and handling of mandates and in the promotion of pro bono infrastructure in Germany and Europe.
Networks & Communities
We promote a diverse and inclusive firm culture through various networks & communities. With more than 17 networks and communities, we promote an inclusive and diverse firm culture. These include: Women’s Network, Halo Network, Black Affinity and Asian Affinity Network, Enabled Network.
Secondments
Secondments at our offices worldwide or with clients (e.g. Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai) provide our employees with valuable insights into international client work and at the same time strengthen their internal network.