Overview
CHICAGO (Nov. 9, 2017) — International law firm McDermott Will & Emery proudly announced that it has earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality. This marks the twelfth consecutive year that McDermott has earned a perfect score on the CEI, which is administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.
“McDermott’s perfect score on the 2018 CEI is a reflection of our belief that diversity – in all forms – is necessary to achieve sustained excellence in client service,” said Michael Weaver, partner-in-charge for LGBTQ Diversity & Inclusion. “For us it’s not just about getting a perfect score; it’s about living and breathing our commitment to valuing, nurturing and celebrating the benefits of diversity.”
The 2018 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices of the nation’s major companies and law firms, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. McDermott’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
As one of the first international firms to create an LGBTQ affinity group, and participate in the CEI, McDermott is a recognized leader in LGBTQ workplace diversity and inclusion. In fact, McDermott has implemented Firm-wide policies and programs to maintain a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees. These include:
- Extending domestic partner benefits to same-sex partners prior to marriage equality (2002);
- Adopting a non-discrimination policy inclusive of transgender people (2006);
- Implementing Gender Transition Guidelines for transgender attorneys and staff (2008);
- Becoming one of the first law firms or companies to offer tax gross-up payments for its people who are taxed on the value of medical, dental and vision benefits provided to their same-sex domestic partners (2011); and
- Becoming one of the first law firms to offer full health coverage for transgender lawyers and staff (2012).
“The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to their operations around the globe and impacting millions of people beyond our shores,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “In addition, many of these companies have also become vocal advocates for equality in the public square, including the dozens that have signed on to amicus briefs in vital Supreme Court cases and the 106 corporate supporters of the Equality Act. We are proud to have developed so many strong partnerships with corporate allies who see LGBTQ equality as a crucial issue for our country and for their businesses.”
Click here for more information on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index or to download a free copy of the report.
About McDermott Will & Emery
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,000 lawyers, we have offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Paris, Seoul, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC. Further extending our reach into Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
About The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.