If there's one thing the tight attorney labor market of recent years has done for the profession, it's make law firms more flexible. Attorneys of all ages and both genders, for example, are finding that making partner on a reduced schedule is finally possible

Most part-time lawyers are working mothers, but both men and women are choosing part-time schedules to raise families, care for elderly parents, serve in local government or just have a more lifestyle-friendly schedule. And law firms have increasingly permitted reduced work schedules. In fact, 94 percent of law firms nationwide allow part-time work arrangements, according to a 1999 study by the National Association for Law Placement.

Bay Area firms have followed this trend. San Francisco-based Brobeck Phleger & Harrison, for example, has a specific firm policy stating that part-time schedules will not affect an attorney's chances of making partner unless the lawyer misses more than eight months of work.

In the law firm world, however, a schedule characterized as "part-time" can be deceiving. For many attorneys, particularly those at large firms, "part-time" still means working 40 hours and five days a week. And as salaries rise, so do billable hour requirements, and therefore lawyers must work harder to maintain a part-time schedule. In other words, 80 percent of 2,000 hours is, of course, a lot more than 80 percent of 1,850 hours.

Regarding compensation, many firms offer part-time lawyers a salary that's an exact pro rata exchange of a full-time schedule. For example, if the part-time lawyer works a 75 percent schedule, that lawyer will earn exactly 75 percent of the full-time salary (and in many cases will still be eligible for a pro rata bonus). Considering the firm must still pay the full cost of an attorney's office space, secretary and other support, that's relatively generous.

Still, making partner on a reduced schedule is by no means a sure thing. And every lawyer accomplishes the feat differently. Attorneys who have been at the same firm for their entire careers, for example, seem to do it more easily than lateral lawyers. Also, the partnership decision can depend how long the lawyer has been on a part-time schedule. For example, a lawyer who has worked part-time for six years may have to wait longer to make partner than a lawyer who has been part-time for just two years.

For those lawyers who don't want a reduced schedule to interfere with partnership chances, here are some tips.

First, let your firm know that you want to make partner. Many law firms will assume that because you're part-time, you're not committed to the firm or the practice. Tell them otherwise, particularly during yearly performance reviews.

Also, do your part to support the firm in non-billable ways. Serve on the recruiting committee or try to steadily build your own client base. In other words, work to add value to the firm in your own way, even if it's not hours-based.

In addition, the irregular nature of law practice, particularly litigation, makes it hard to maintain a rigid day off. So a good way to manage a big firm workload on a part-time schedule is not having a specific day off. Rather, shoot for having 20 percent fewer hours at the end of the year instead of, say, taking every Friday off. For example, work in the office every day but go in late and leave early. Importantly, make your part-time schedule invisible to clients. Even when you're out of the office, stay in contact via voicemail and e-mail.

At the same time, be diplomatically aggressive in setting work limits. If your schedule calls for you to work 80 percent of a full-time schedule, be firm about not working any more than that. Otherwise, you'll be working close to full time for significantly less pay. When a partner asks you to squeeze in one more project, explain that it'll bring you over your mutually agreed upon hours limit.

Remember, a lot of factors go into whether someone makes partner. As a part-time lawyer, you can increase your chances by bringing unique value to the firm even if you don't fit the typical mold. Take every opportunity to show your firm that you are not fungible and that having you part-time is better than not having you at all.