Effective from 1 April, the new entitlements will see an increase from 12 to 14 weeks' paid parental leave after two years of service; the introduction of six weeks' paid parental leave after one year of service; and an increase from one to two weeks' paid paternity leave provided after one year of service.

"It is important that we continue to provide flexible work practices and have policies that promote life outside of work. We know it's important to our people, to prospective employees and their families," said DLA Phillips Fox chief executive Tony Holland.

In November last year, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Allens Arthur Robinson and Freehills announced their revised paid parental leave policies of 18 weeks' full paid leave, effective from 1 January this year.

Corrs previously offered 14 weeks' paid parental leave to staff, while Freehills offered 12 weeks.

At the time of the announcement, Freehills chief executive officer Gavin Bell told Lawyers Weekly he expects the revised policy to make his firm more attractive in the marketplace and that Freehills would be open to extending the period of paid parental leave in the future.

Also increasing their parental leave entitlements last year was Mallesons Stephen Jaques, which increased its leave period to 14 weeks after one year of employment, and Adelaide firm Kelly & Co, which announced its new policy of 16 weeks' full paid leave in August 2010.