As burnout pervades law firms, associates continue to flee to virtual firms or in-house roles where the grass seems to be greener. But for those who hold tight to law firm partnership aspirations, reduced-hour programs are gaining traction.

“I think this is the wave of the future,” said Sarah Van Steenburg, a managing director at Major, Lindsey & Africa who has seen a significant uptick in requests for part-time options from high-performers in the last six to nine months.