CHICAGO, Ill. – For the third year in a row, the national law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP has been awarded a 100% rating on the
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Corporate Equality Index (CEI), recognizing Hinshaw’s commitment to diversity through promoting and protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) rights. Hinshaw’s 100% rating marks it as one of HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”
The CEI measures how equitably large, private-sector businesses in the United States treat their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and, where applicable, investors. It rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year than last. To achieve a perfect score and the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” companies must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship.
In all, 850 businesses—including 134 law firms—were rated for the CEI. Whereas 337 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating of 100 percent in last years CEI, under the more stringent standards that took effect this year, only 190 did. Of those 190, only 55 were law firms.
“We are proud to have once again earned this tremendous distinction, especially given the more demanding requirements this year. It demonstrates what I have always believed: Hinshaw is one of the best places to work,” said Hinshaw’s Chairman,
Donald L. Mrozek. Added
Leslie Richards-Yellen, Hinshaw’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, “Our consistency in achieving the 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index reflects our firm’s total commitment to diversity.”
“We are proud of Hinshaw’s continuing efforts to promote and increase diversity and inclusiveness and the firm’s commitment to supporting the GLBT community,” said
Todd M. Young, the chair of Hinshaw’s GLBT Affinity Network. The GLBT Affinity Network is one of five Hinshaw affinity networks, which work to enhance the firm’s diversity mission and goals. The group and its individual members are active in legal and business communities around the country, sponsoring, presenting and attending events as well as supporting causes of concern to their particular communities. Earlier this year, Hinshaw co-sponsored Chicago-Kent College of Law’s first annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Civil Rights Conference, and the event’s opening reception. The conference drew more than 200 attendees, approximately 70 percent of whom were practicing attorneys, as well as politicians and professors.
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a full-service national law firm providing coordinated legal services across the United States, as well as regionally and locally. Hinshaw lawyers represent businesses, governmental entities and individuals in complex litigation, regulatory and transactional matters. Founded in 1934, the firm has approximately 500 attorneys in 24 offices located in
Arizona,
California,
Florida,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Massachusetts,
Minnesota,
Missouri,
New York,
Oregon,
Rhode Island and
Wisconsin.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information about HRC or their Equality Index, go to
www.hrc.org.