Goodwin Procter was recently named to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2015 “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” list, a distinction awarded to businesses who receive the top score of 100 percent in the organization’s benchmark Corporate Equality Index (CEI) report. The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality and includes companies from all industries and geographies across corporate America.
“As an openly gay partner with more than 18 years’ experience here, I’ve always known Goodwin to be a leader on LGBT equality issues,” said Scott Webster, co-chair of Goodwin’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Initiative and Chair of Goodwin’s Attorney Review Committee. “We’re delighted to be recognized by HRC this year as one of the Best Places to Work.”
Goodwin’s GLBT Initiative principally focuses on recruiting, retaining and advancing GLBT talent. The Initiative also seeks to create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment, and to build a strong network of GLBT professionals and allies.
The Corporate Equality Index was first published 13 years ago and rates companies on LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. The 2015 survey rated 971 businesses with 366 receiving the top score.
“In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. Goodwin Procter not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values.”
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation 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 LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.