(CHICAGO) For the 11th consecutive year, Working Mother has named Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as one of its 100 Best Companies for the firm's strong leadership in creating progressive programs for its work force in the areas of advancement of women, child care, flexibility and paid parental leave. Partner Nadira Clarke, head of the firm's Washington, DC Litigation practice, and member of the firm's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, was also named Katten's Working Mother of the Year for her leadership in mentoring women.

"I thank Working Mother for continuing to recognize Katten's commitment to fostering a diverse and supportive environment for all of our working parents," said Katten Chairman Roger P. Furey. "This recognition honors our working mothers and in doing so, highlights people like Nadira, who helps lead the way in creating and backing programs that empower women at all stages of their careers."

Katten was one of only four law firms recognized on the list and was specifically acknowledged for its Women's Leadership Forum (WLF), which was noted for helping women "develop their careers, expand their networks and pursue work-life balance." This year the WLF formed a National Mentoring Panel to ensure that women have access to good female role models who are willing to provide guidance on professional development, work-life-balance and other issues of concern. In addition to the 100 Best Companies list, the firm was also recognized for earning a spot on the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women list and the Best Companies for Multicultural Women list.

"This designation is particularly gratifying because it shines a spotlight on the law firms like Katten that are leading the industry in creating forward-thinking policies aimed at retaining, promoting and creating a positive work environment for women," said Laura Keidan Martin, national chair of the firm's Women's Leadership Forum. "I'd like to congratulate Nadira on this honor and thank her for leveraging her leadership positon to make a positive impact on women throughout the firm."

Clarke, Katten's Working Mother of the Year, joined the firm as a capital partner in 2014 and had already established herself as a prominent environmental and white collar litigator in addition to being a mother. In the three years since she joined Katten, she has been selected to head up the firm's the firm's Washington, DC Litigation practice and appointed to the firm's Board of Directors and Executive Committee—in addition to growing her book of business.

"Katten is a firm that quickly embraced me by supporting my professional development and extending leadership opportunities," said Clarke.

A member of Katten's National Mentoring Panel, Clarke mentors women across the firm and helps drive recruitment of women attorneys. She is quick to point out the responsibility she believes she has for helping women and other underrepresented people at the firm. "I am not just there to be a mentor," she said. "I strive to help impact how women get business, how they are compensated, whether or not their work is recognized, and whether or not they get promoted."

The 100 Best Companies are featured in the October/November issue of Working Mother and on workingmother.com. In July, Katten was named one of the "50 Best Law Firms for Women" by Working Mother in collaboration with the ABA Journal for the tenth consecutive year.

Working Mother Media (WMM), a division of Bonnier Corporation, publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com. The Working Mother Research Institute, the National Association for Female Executives and Diversity Best Practices are also units within WMM. WMM's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers.