A City of London, law firm is permitting women partners to work part-time from May 2010.
The step is seen as an attempt to encourage more women into the role.
Traditionally, equity partners in law firms are often expected to work 80- hour weeks which makes it difficult for women who would like to have children.
From May women will be allowed at one law firm to cut their hours down to a four - day week or take an extra 52 days' annual leave for up to eight years.
Junior lawyers and support staff are permitted to work flexible hours and equity partners were expected not to do so.
