LGBT Diversity
McDermott Will & Emery is committed to cultivating and maintaining a diverse group of lawyers and staff. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against individuals because of sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or lifestyle choice.
Committed to this goal, McDermott's newest diversity committee, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Diversity Committee was formed in early 2006 and puts us on the cutting edge of diversity initiatives. Chaired by a partner in McDermott's New York office who is an open lesbian, the LGBT Diversity Committee has developed Firm-wide policies and programs to maintain a supportive and inclusive environment for all of our employees.
The LGBT Diversity Committee works to ensure that differences in sexual orientation and gender identity among legal and non-legal staff are embraced, consistent with our overall diversity commitment.
Committee members actively recruit LGBT candidates and participate in LGBT-related recruiting events. We have formed a number of pro bono partnerships with LGBT organizations, and we sponsor and donate to events for LGBT organizations such as Lambda Legal and The Human Rights Campaign.
Because of our commitment to LGBT workplace equality, we have a 100 percent rating on the Corporate Equality Index from the prestigious Human Rights Campaign Foundation. In 2006 when we first received this rating, we were one of only 12 U.S. law firms to achieve such recognition. In 2007, the Human Rights Campaign named McDermott one of the Best Places to Work.
Since 2002, we have offered domestic partner benefits to same-sex partners. This includes health, dental and vision insurance as well as dependent medical coverage. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/FMLA-like benefits, bereavement leave, employee discounts, a qualified joint and survivor annuity, a pre-retirement survivor annuity, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)/COBRA-like benefits and an employee assistance program are included in the package of benefits we offer to opposite-sex spouses and same-sex partners alike.
