They’re back. And this time, they’ve got the Lean Legal Ladies. Last year, Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 100 lawyers and offices in Boston and New Hampshire as well as Providence, was chosen as one of Rhode Island’s Best Places to Work.

This year, the firm has not only won the award again, it also has earned national honors for its innovative wellness program, which includes Weight Watchers, health fairs, on-site yoga, a walking program and luncheon seminars on health topics.

The firm’s commitment to workplace wellness inspired staff members to form Lean Legal Ladies, which won first place in Shape Up! Rhode Island, a statewide fitness challenge, for most hours exercised. And the Wellness Councils of America have recognized the firm with Gold-level certification, the second-highest recognition available.

Of course health and wellness aren’t the only fields in which the firm has sought to excel. To stay ahead in an increasingly competitive recruitment environment, the firm offers a strong benefits package, extensive in-house training, financial support for job-related courses and continuing education, and an extraordinary retirement plan: After two years of employment, staff are eligible for an employer contribution of 7.5 percent of their base salary – regardless of whether they choose to contribute. The firm is also exploring where it can add value to its benefits package and experimenting with flexible work schedules.

“Investment in your employees pays off and adds to organizational exponentially,” said Laurie McDonald, associate director of practice management at the firm.

But what tips the scales is the workplace environment itself.

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder has been growing steadily in recent years. Its clients currently include both individuals and businesses, including many of the region’s public companies, financial institutions, large developers and construction firms, hospitals and government.

“Many of our young associates hit the ground running and are very hands-on in day-to-day work, as opposed to much larger firms, where it might be years before they enter a courtroom,” said Megan McCormack, director of administration.

The administrative staff also enjoys the environment.

“They treat everyone with the utmost respect. And there are so many opportunities for advancement,” said Donna Falcoa, a legal secretary for 27 years. And when she expressed an interest in a four-year volunteer commitment, she said, “They were thrilled I was going to take on this responsibility, and very willing to make it work for me.”

There are also many social events throughout the year, where families and friends are typically welcome, and regular employee appreciation days.

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder believes in promoting from within – every year a number of associates become partners in the firm, and it is reportedly commonplace for entry-level staff to move up the ladder and into new departments. There have also been instances where administrative staff moved into the legal services area.

“When we recruit for support staff, we look internally before we go outside, to see if we have the necessary talent under our own roof,” said McDonald.

Not surprisingly, many staff members have been with the firm for 10 years or more; McDonald, for example, is in her 21st year.