Stonewall names 12 law firms among top 100 LGBT-friendly employers

Some 12 City firms have been named among this year’s top 100 LGBT-friendly employers by leading equality charity Stonewall.

The pick of the bunch was Simmons & Simmons, which Stonewall has named as a ‘star performer’ for the firm’s steadfast commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the workplace, which has seen it rank among Stonewall’s top 10 employers every year for the last decade. The other standout firms recognised as doing great work to improve equality are:

• Pinsent Masons (ranked fifth);
• Clifford Chance (ninth);
• Baker & McKenzie (11^th);
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (17^th);
• Norton Rose Fulbright (22^nd);
• Herbert Smith Freehills (25^th);
• DWF (56^th);
• Hogan Lovells (57^th);
• CMS Cameron McKenna (80^th);
• Reed Smith (72^nd);
• Eversheds (86^th); and
• Dentons (97^th).

Kris Phelps, senior account manager at Stonewall, commented: “Stonewall is delighted to see 12 law firms within the top 100 this year and one as a Stonewall Star Performer. The legal sector is really leading by example in progressing LGBT diversity and inclusion. Ten years ago when the Index was launched, no law firms featured in the top 100. It’s hugely exciting to see so many firms taking the steps to ensure that their employees can be themselves in the workplace.”

And Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, savedspecial praise for Simmons & Simmons: “I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Simmons & Simmons this year, for going above and beyond to ensure its workplace is inclusive of lesbian, gay, bi and trans colleagues and clients, wherever they are in the world. Getting this right is not easy, as not all parts of the world are progressing at the same pace. As a top global employer, Simmons & Simmons [has] demonstrated [its] commitment to ensuring that its policies and practices are both fit-for-purpose and as inclusive as possible. This is a huge achievement for them and a fantastic contribution to achieving acceptance, without exception, for LGBT people around the world.”