Stonewall top 100 employers list ranks 2020’s most LGBT-inclusive law firms
updated on 30 January 2020
Fifteen law firms and other legal sector organisations have made this year’s list of the top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers, compiled by charity Stonewall.
Commercial firm Pinsent Masons leads the legal pack once again, having been ranked fourth in the UK overall for LGBT inclusivity and recognised – alongside human rights firm and new entry Leigh Day – as a top employer for trans inclusivity.
Baker McKenzie and Travers Smith rounded out the leading law firms in joint 12th place, while magic circle firm Slaughter and May was the legal profession’s most-improved firm, climbing from 70th place in 2019 to 15th this year.
Meanwhile, DWF has been named Stonewall’s bi-inclusive employer of the year. The Manchester-headquartered firm ranked 30th in the overall top 100 list.
Other legal organisation in the charity’s top 100 employers in 2020 are:
- Hogan Lovells (17);
- Clifford Chance (19);
- Allen & Overy (22);
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (35);
- Taylor Wessing (51);
- Linklaters LLP (62);
- Mayer Brown International LLP (64);
- Irwin Mitchell (74); and
- the Solicitors Regulation Authority (93).
Over 500 UK employers across the public, private and third sectors submitted themselves to be considered for this year’s Stonewall top 100. The rankings are an authoritative insight into employers’ inclusivity, with Stonewall research finding that one in seven LGBT employees in the UK hide who they are at work and one in five LGBT people have experienced discrimination when applying for jobs.
Sanjay Sood-Smith, Stonewall’s executive director of workplace & community programmes, said: “Pinsent Masons and all of the legal sector organisations in this year's top 100 employer's list are playing a huge role in improving the lives of LGBT people, and should be very proud of their work.
“We still don't live in a world where everyone is able to be themselves in the workplace, as we know more than a third of LGBT staff – 35% – hide who they are at work. By taking steps to make their workplaces supportive and welcoming of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, these organisations are bringing us closer to a world where everyone is accepted without exception.”
