Law firms praised by Stonewall for LGBT+ inclusion efforts
Nine law firms including Allen & Overy, Dentons and Hogan Lovells have been recognised in Stonewall’s Top Global Employers list for 2020, which ranks 17 leading companies for their efforts in advancing LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace.
Baker McKenzie, Bryan Cave Leighton, Paisner, Freshfields, Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith Freehills, Pinsent Masons and Simmons & Simmons also featured on the list, announced by Stonewall on September 21.
Allen & Overy (A&O), which was listed for the third year running, also won the Global LGBT Network award for its internal network programme that links LGBT staff across different A&O locations worldwide.
A&O IP practitioner and partner Jim Ford, said: “The success of the network is down to the hard work of people internally and our approach of close collaboration between the global diversity team, senior leaders and in-country LGBT organisations. We are focused on making sure that we balance our global messages with local nuance, to encourage as much engagement with the network as possible.”
Meanwhile, Baker McKenzie received Stonewall’s Global Trans Inclusion award for championing trans inclusion in its workplace.
"Both of these awards recognise the true commitment from our leadership and colleagues across the firm who strive to create an environment in which our LGBT+ colleagues feel like they truly belong regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said David Palumbo, Toronto corporate partner and global chair of the firm's LGBT+ steering committee.
Nancy Kelley, Stonewall’s chief executive, said: “The progress we’ve made towards LGBT equality has never felt more fragile, so it’s inspiring to see the work our top global employers are doing to protect and support their LGBT staff in some extremely difficult contexts. We know that getting this right isn’t easy, but it is vital—especially because not all parts of the world are progressing at the same pace.”
She added: “Multinational companies have a powerful part to play in driving equality and progress in society. With their help, every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person can be accepted without exception, wherever they are in the world.”
According to Stonewall, anti-LGBT legislation still exists in 70 countries, and 120 countries don’t have any laws protecting LGBT people from employment discrimination.
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