Raising the Bar
Recognizing the Best Practices in Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining LGBT Employees
is proud to support
Skadden
Skadden, Arps
Equality Illinois
and applauds its efforts to eliminate discrimination in the Illinois LGBT communities.
We congratulate our fellow honorees.
Diversity and excellence are inextricably intertwined.
Beijing | Boston | Brussels | Chicago | Frankfurt | Hong Kong | Houston | London | Los Angeles | Moscow | Munich | New York Palo Alto | Paris | S達o Paulo | Shanghai | Singapore | Sydney | Tokyo | Toronto | Vienna | Washington, D.C. | Wilmington
Raising The Bar Corporate Responsibility Project
Equality Illinois is working to ensure that every law firm operating in the State of Illinois provides a safe and fair work environment for LGBT employees. This spring, we conducted our sixth comprehensive survey of law firms doing business in Illinois to assess the firms’ commitment to their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) attorneys and staff, and the firms’ engagement with the LGBT community at large.
With the information gathered from the 2011 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, we were able to identify the law firms in Illinois that are leading the way to LGBT workplace equality. Equality Illinois recognizes the outstanding achievements of law firms across the state, and we hope that highlighting best practices will further the development of fair LGBT policies at every firm. Equality Illinois will provide the tools for every firm in the state to strengthen their LGBT-friendly policies in order to retain top talent and remain competitive.
In this brochure, you will find a summary of the results from our 2011 survey, including statistics on law firms non-discrimination policies, workplace practices, and outreach to the LGBT community. We have included preliminary recommendations for fostering an LGBT-friendly environment, and following this we will publish the Law Firm Best Practices Manual with comprehensive policy recommendations.
Thank you to all the law firms that participated in the 2011 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey!
JENNER & BLOCK SALUTES THE BENEFICIARIES OF TONIGHT’S EVENT:
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago Equality Illinois Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays FOR SECURING, PROTECTING AND DEFENDING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TR ANSGENDER PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS
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© Jenner & Block LLP | 353 N. Clark Street | Chicago, Illinois 60654
Raising The Bar The Process Earlier in the year, Equality Illinois mailed the 2011 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey to the 150 largest law firms doing business in the state of Illinois. The survey included questions on law firm personnel policies, civil union and same-sex partner benefits, diversity trainings, and engagement with the LGBT community at large, among other practices. We collected samples of the best practices relating to non-discrimination policies and same-sex partner benefits, as well as any other materials related to LGBT community involvement and office culture. Using the information provided by the responding law firms, Equality Illinois scored the firms based on how welcoming and equitable their policies are to LGBT employees. We applaud the firms leading the way toward LGBT workplace equality, and honor the firms with a strengthened commitment to workplace equality. These firms are being recognized before their colleagues at the annual Lawyers for Diversity Barbeque.
Proud to be Creating Change McGuireWoods is proud to be recognized by Equality Illinois as a law firm doing business in Illinois with a growing commitment to LGBT equality. We appreciate our LGBT lawyers and staff who have helped us receive this honor and we salute Equality Illinois for its efforts.
Richard T. Greenberg, Partner 312.750.5755 | rgreenberg@mcguirewoods.com 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 4100 | Chicago, Illinois 60601-1818
900 Lawyers | 19 Offices | www.mcguirewoods.com
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Promoting Diversity for Our Clients' Success At Bryan Cave, we believe that diversity makes us a better firm and enables us to provide superior results for our clients. We join Equality Illinois in celebrating diversity in our firm, the legal profession and our communities. www.bryancave.com
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setting The Bar
Law firms leading the way to LGBT equality
“We are honored to be named among the most LGBT friendly firms in Illinois. We are proud to be part of this thriving legal community. And, we are excited at the rapid progress we see and help happen every day for LGBT community.”
“Chapman and Cutler is a leader in equal opportunity employment because we value excellence. Excellence has no color, no gender, no sexual orientation, but rather is found in cultivating the talents and unique perspectives of each individual employee.”
“As a growing firm with international reach and global clients, Clark Hill PLC understands the importance of a diverse and inclusive culture. Clark Hill PLC believes in promoting diversity and inclusion in our firm, fostering a collegial and respectful working environment in which each person is encouraged and supported to reach his or her highest potential. Clark Hill PLC will continue to aggressively pursue workplace equality for all, including members of the LGBT community.”
Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Subsidiaries Bryan Cave International Trade and Bryan Cave Strategies provide trade and customs consultancy and government relations and strategic counsel, respectively. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave’s more than 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 26 offices across the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients’ needs in the world’s leading business and financial market. Chapman and Cutler LLP was founded in Chicago in 1913 as a law firm focused on finance. Today the firm represents market participants in all aspects of banking, public finance, and corporate finance and securities, and is nationally recognized for developing innovative legal solutions to complex financial transactions. We are engaged in a widely diversified practice, and to meet the needs of our clients, we believe in harnessing the diverse perspectives of our people. Clark Hill PLC is a full service law firm that provides business legal services, government & public affairs, and personal legal services to our clients throughout the country. With offices in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan and Washington DC, Clark HIll has more than 200 attorneys and professionals. For more information on our firm and our services, visit www.clarkhill.com.
—Ray Koenig, Member, Clark Hill
With 4,200 lawyers in 30 countries and 76 offices located throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the US, DLA Piper is a global law firm positioned to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world. “At DLA Piper, we believe that we are enriched by the diversity, creativity and multiple points of view that we contribute to each other and to our clients. We value diversity and respect for the individual, and we are committed to building a culture that is inclusive of all people and where our colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.” —Bill RudnickChicago Office Co–Managing Partner
“Greenberg Traurig has always been proud of its leadership in recruiting a diverse workforce, and remains committed to the equal treatment of all professionals, and business staff. For us, diversity is about taking the right action, and that’s what we have done both in our hiring and in setting our policies,” said Gregory Osfeld, a Shareholder in the firm’s Chicago office.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. In the U.S., the firm has more offices than any other among the Top 10 on The National Law Journal’s 2011 NLJ 250. In the U.K., the firm operates as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. Greenberg Traurig has a strategic alliance with the independent law firm, Studio Santa Maria in Milan and Rome. For additional information, please visit www.gtlaw.com.
K&L Gates salutes
Equality Illinois We are proud to be one of the most LGBT-friendly firms in the state of Illinois. Thank you Equality Illinois for this recognition. To learn more about our global law firm, please visit klgates.com.
setting The Bar Law firms leading the way to LGBT equality “We are honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top LGBT-friendly law firms in Illinois,” said Susan C. Levy, Jenner & Block’s Managing Partner. “This recognition reflects the Firm’s longstanding dedication to maintaining an inclusive workplace environment and furthering LGBT civil rights.”
“We are proud to have been recognized by organizations like Equality Illinois and the Human Rights Campaign for our efforts to create and sustain a vibrant, diverse and inclusive work environment. We take pride in the diversity of our employees and the varied perspectives and experiences that they contribute to the K&L Gates community.”
“We are pleased that Equality Illinois has recognized Katten’s long–standing commitment to workplace equality,” said Vincent A.F. Sergi, Katten’s National Managing Partner. “We continually strive to grow and maintain an inclusive and supportive work environment that provides equal protections, benefits and resources to all employees.”
“Since day one, Kirkland has embraced and valued my perspective as an openly gay attorney and shown unwavering support for our LGBT community. The Firm is proud to support the great work of Equality Illinois in its mission of achieving equality for the LGBT community in Illinois and beyond.”
Jenner & Block is a national law firm with 450 attorneys and offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. Annually recognized in Equality Illinois’ Law Firm Survey, the Firm has a longstanding tradition of supporting LGBT civil rights and handling LGBT civil liberties cases on a pro bono basis, including the landmark Lawrence v. Texas case. The Firm has received a 100% perfect rating on HRC’s Corporate Equality for six years. K&L Gates delivers legal services on an integrated and global basis, with nearly 2,000 lawyers located in 37 cities on three continents. Establishing and maintaining a diverse, fully inclusive, and community–minded workforce is essential to a strong law firm. At K&L Gates, we are committed to fostering these values to enrich the experience of our lawyers, reflect the communities in which we live and work, and better serve our clients.
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is a full–service law firm with more than 600 attorneys across the United States and London. We strive to be a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high–value legal services nationally and globally. Among our clients are a wide range of public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.
At Kirkland, we believe that our ability to function at the very highest level of our profession is significantly enhanced by building a team of lawyers who bring us the benefits of a broad range of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and personal backgrounds. Our commitment to diversity is reflected not only in the Firm’s policies, programs and committees, but also through our efforts to build and maintain a culture that values and gathers strength from difference.
— Jordan Heinz, Chicago Litigation Associate, Member, Firmwide Diversity Committee and LGBT Subcommittee
Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of McDermott’s organizational values. As an international law firm, we appreciate the importance of a diverse workforce to address increasingly complex problems facing the global business community. "McDermott has a long-standing commitment to LGBT equality and inclusion within our firm, and the broader legal and LGBT communities. We have implemented best practices such as comprehensive domestic partner benefits, a tax gross-up and gender transition guidelines to create a culture supportive of our LGBT lawyers and staff. The Firm's policies and practices are consistent with our overall commitment to workplace equality and inclusion.” —Lisa A. Linsky, Partner–in–Charge of LGBT Diversity and Inclusion
McDermott has been at the forefront in the legal community in developing benefits for LGBT employees. The Firm’s comprehensive policies embrace sexual orientation and gender expression and identity. McDermott has provided domestic partner benefits to same–sex partners for nearly a decade; a tax gross–up payment for employees taxed on the value of health benefits for their partners; and, adopted a non–discrimination policy inclusive of transgender people, as well as Gender Transition Guidelines. McDermott has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Illinois, Immigration Equality and the Empire State Pride Agenda for the Firm’s efforts to advance LGBT equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Katten is proud to be recognized for our efforts toward achieving full equality in the workplace.
Diversity Committee GLBT Coalition Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity Women’s Leadership Forum Minority Associates Committee Minority Scholarship Program
www.kattenlaw.com | www.kattenwomen.com | www.kattendiversity.com charlotte
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setting The Bar Law firms leading the way to LGBT equality “Neal Gerber Eisenberg is proud to again be ranked by Equality Illinois as a top 10 LGBT– friendly law firm,” said William Choslovsky, partner and co–chair of the firms’ Diversity Committee. “This honor underscores our ongoing commitment to the LGBT community specifically and to diversity in general. We recognize that diversity is a vital component of our culture, strategic planning and overall well–being.”
“Perkins Coie deeply values diversity as an integral part of our culture and we are committed to supporting the growth and development of a workplace that reflects the richness of the communities in which we live and work. We are honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top LGBT–friendly law firms in Illinois.”
“Quarles & Brady understands the importance of incorporating diversity in the workplace because it is beneficial to our clients and the firm,” said Janine Landow-Esser, Chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. “We continually develop and refine our policies to address the needs of our diverse employees — racial minorities, women, LGBT or physically challenged. It is who we are as a firm.”
“We are gratified to be recognized by Lawyers for Diversity. There is a long history of inclusiveness at Schiff Hardin. We are proud to have been among the first major law firms to provide health care benefits to same-sex partners of our attorneys and staff and our pro bono work on behalf of LGBT individuals during the course of the past three decades is in the highest traditions of the firm.” —Clay Tillack, Partner
SEYFARTH SHAW
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is a Chicago law firm whose lawyers share a culture of teamwork and devotion to personalized client service to advance clients’ business interests throughout the U.S. and beyond. Our lawyers provide legal business solutions to public and private entities of all types in connection with domestic and global business transactions and litigation. Our client base reflects anumber of Fortune 100 companies, financial institutions, nonprofits and high net worth individuals.
With more than 750 lawyers in 18 offices across the United States and in China, Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm and represents thousands of great companies across all industries and stages of growth—from start–ups to FORTUNE 50 public companies. PerkinsCoie’s nearly 100–year tradition of partnering with our clients to build great companies has earned our firm the privilege of representing industry–leading clients such as Amazon.com, Microsoft, Boeing, Intel, Google, Starbucks and Honeywell, to name just a few.
Quarles & Brady LLP is a full–service law firm with 425 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.; and Shanghai, China. In the firm’s distinguished 118–year history, it has grown from a small, well–respected local law firm to a place among the Am Law 200, building a national practice and earning a comparable reputation throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.quarles.com.
Schiff Hardin remains committed to diversity of all types and at all levels, but is especially proud of its leadership in the area of LGBT diversity. We were one of the first Chicago law firms to offer health insurance and other benefits to same-sex partners and spouses. We continue to partner with the LGBT community and to that end Schiff Hardin’s Diversity Committee includes an LGBT Subcommittee, chaired by one of our gay Chicago partners.
Equality Illinois Raising the Bar
You’re changing lives. Wildman Harrold salutes Equality Illinois and its mission to secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois. We are honored to be named one of the leading law ďŹ rms doing business in Illinois in 2011. wildman.com
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setting The Bar
Law firms leading the way to LGBT equality
“We are honored to be named among the most LGBT friendly firms in Illinois. Our commitment to the LGBT communities is central to the core values that are a fundamental component of Skadden’s success as a global law firm.”
Serving clients in every major international financial center, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and affiliates is one of the leading law firms in the world, with 23 offices and approximately 2,000 attorneys. Our diversified practice enables us to offer solutions to the most challenging legal issues in virtually every area of corporate law, providing the specific legal advice clients need to compete most effectively in a global business environment. For the third consecutive year, Skadden has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and was named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” by the HRC. Wildman Harrold is a national law firm representing Fortune 500 companies and private businesses in complex litigation, business transactions and intellectual property. Wildman Harrold is committed to cultivating a work environment that ensures equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. The firm is proud of its LGBT Initiative, which focuses on supporting our LGBT attorneys and staff in developing their practices and maintaining a healthy working environment for all.
“Wildman Harrold believes that excellent lawyers bring all of themselves to their professional work. We are proud of our LGBT colleagues and want to see them — and all of our lawyers — grow to their fullest professional potential.” — Sarah “Sally” L. Olson, Partner and Professional Development and Diversity Director, Wildman Harrold
Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with nearly 1,000 attorneys among 15 offices in Beijing, Charlotte, Chicago, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, New York, Newark, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. “We are honored to be named by Equality Illinois as one of the leading law firms doing business in Illinois. Diversity and inclusiveness are core values at Winston & Strawn. Ours is a global practice that, we believe, should reflect the diverse world that we serve. To us, diversity involves a commitment to understand, confront, and seek out differences. We are convinced that a sense of inclusiveness adds depth to our lives, informs our work within the firm and with clients, and allows us to become more engaged as citizens of the larger community. In sum, everyone benefits from a culture that recognizes and respects an inclusive workforce.”
Our firm serves the needs of enterprises of all types and sizes, in both the private and the public sector. The exceptional depth and geographic reach of our resources enable Winston & Strawn to manage virtually every type of business-related legal issue. As evidence of our successes, the firm has earned a 100 percent rating in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2009, 2010, and 2011 Corporate Equality Index, which rates Fortune 500 and other major firms on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees and people with whom they do business. We are also pleased to be a leader among law firms in expanding our domestic partner benefits to provide a tax gross-up payment for employees in same-sex partnerships.
—Amanda L. Groves, Partner and Chair, Diversity Committee
Equality Illinois has partnered with Lambda Legal to develop the Civil Union Tracker. This system aims to ensure that same–sex and different–sex couples who have a civil union are treated fairly under Illinois law. The Civil Union Tracker allows for Illinois residents to communicate their celebratory experience while also providing a way to document the harms that result from excluding lesbian and gay couples from marriage. Learn more and register at www.eqil.org/ CivilUnionTracker.html
Baker & McKenzie is a proud sponsor of Equality Illinois and its mission to secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois.
entering the court:
Five firms with a strengthened commitment to LGBT equality
“As the first truly global law firm, Baker & McKenzie embraces diversity among our lawyers, staff and clients. We know from experience that having a variety of backgrounds and perspectives leads to practical solutions and innovation.”
“Our firm values diversity and inclusion. In light of these core values, we have devoted significant resources to strengthening our diversity and inclusion efforts. Additionally, we believe that our diversity and inclusion efforts enhance the firm’s attractiveness to clients and our ability to deliver excellent results.”
Baker & McKenzie has been global from our inception. Since 1949, we have offered clients and talent both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top law firm and a distinctive way of thinking, working and behaving – as a passionately global and genuinely collaborative firm. With 3750 lawyers in 41 countries, we have cultivated the culture, commercial pragmatism and technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver world–class service to clients worldwide. Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with approximately 500 lawyers in 24 offices. We offer a full-service practice, with an emphasis in litigation, business law, environmental, labor and employment law, professional liability defense, insurance coverage, and specialty litigation. We represent for-profit and not-for-profit clients in a range of industries including construction, financial services, health care, insurance, legal, manufacturing, real estate, retail and transportation. Our clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.
—Leslie Richards-Yellen, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
MCGUIRE WOODS “At McGuireWoods, we work hard to be inclusive and create an environment of mutual respect. As part of this focus, our LGBT Affinity Group has provided us with key insights that have helped us achieve recognition from Equality Illinois for our commitment to LGBT equality” Thomas E. Cabaniss, McGuireWoods LLP Managing Partner.”
“Reed Smith leads in providing equal treatment for LGBT lawyers and staff not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we value inclusion and understand the positive impact it has on the provision of legal services to our clients,” said Tyree Jones, Reed Smith’s Director of Global Diversity. “Equality Illinois’ recognition of our firm’s inclusion efforts helps sustain Reed Smith’s commitment to maintaining a workplace that welcomes and supports everyone.”
YEARWOOD & ASSOCIATES
At McGuireWoods, we deliver quality work, personalized service and exceptional value. We use technology to provide efficient legal solutions and employ a diverse workforce to bring real-world and innovative perspectives to meet our clients’ needs. With approximately 900 lawyers and 19 strategically local offices worldwide, McGuireWoods uses client-focused teams to serve public, private, government and nonprofit clients from many industries including automotive, energy resources, health care, technology and transportation. Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm focused on client service and relationships. With more than 1600 lawyers, and 23 offices spanning the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, we are a firm as diverse as the continents across which we practice and the clients we serve. Though we work from multiple locations, our lawyers and staff are linked by much more than technology. We are united by a culture that is defined by a firm–wide commitment to professional development, teamwork, diversity, and inclusion, and pro bono and community service.
Building Diverse Communities Greenberg Traurig is honored to support Equality Illinois and its mission to secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois. We are proud to be ranked as one of the ten most LGBT-friendly firms doing business in Illinois. ALBANY | AMSTERDAM | ATLANTA | AUSTIN | BOSTON | CHICAGO | DALLAS | DELAWARE | DENVER | FT. LAUDERDALE | HOUSTON | LAS VEGAS LONDON* | LOS ANGELES | MIAMI | NEW JERSEY | NEW YORK | ORANGE COUNTY | ORLANDO | PALM BEACH COUNTY | PHILADELPHIA | PHOENIX SACRAMENTO | SAN FRANCISCO | SHANGHAI | SILICON VALLEY | TALLAHASSEE | TAMPA | TYSONS CORNER | WASHINGTON, D.C. | WHITE PLAINS
Chicago 77 West Wacker Drive | Suite 3100 Chicago, IL 60601 312.456.8400 | wwwgtlaw.com
[ 1800 AT TORNEYS IN 32 LOCATIONS° | UNITED STATES | EUROPE | ASIA] The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and our experience. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2011 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Contact: Greg Ostfeld in Chicago at 312.456.8400. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. *Operates as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. 12534
Raising The Bar Where Law Firms Stand Personnel Policies 97% of responding firms have an EEO policy or non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation [up from 88%] 92% of responding firms have an EEO policy or non-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or gender expression [up from 84%] 47% of responding firms already have gender transition guidelines, a recently-recognized policy need [up from 40%]
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Insurance Coverage ALL responding law firms are offering the same benefits to employees with civil union partners as to employees with married spouses 91% of responding firms also offer same-sex domestic partnership benefits for employees who are not in a civil union 40% of responding firms already offer an insurance plan that covers treatment for gender identity related treatments, a recently recognized insurance benefit need
Diversity
94% of responding firms actively recruit/hire LGBT lawyers [up from 88%]
79% of responding firms offer diversity training that includes sexual orientation and/or gender identity 94% of responding firms have a diversity council or workgroup with a mission that includes LGBT issues [up from 88%] 74% of responding firms have an LGBT affinity group that focuses on advocating for LGBT legal issues and clients
Community Outreach
82% of responding firms specifically market to the LGBT community
82% of responding firms do pro bono work on LGBT issues
88% of responding firms financially sponsor LGBT community events
91% of responding firms financially support LGBT organizations
Raising The Bar Raising The Bar The Best Practices Manual
Based on the results of the 2011 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, we are developing a comprehensive Best Practices Manual to assist law firms in implementing LGBTfriendly workplace policies. The Best Practices Manual will provide a step-bystep guide for implementing the recommendations in this brochure, as well as in-depth recommendations for long-term LGBT-friendly workplace practices.
With the help of the Equality Illinois Best Practices Manual, law firms across the state will have access to: ·
• Advice on welcoming workplace policies from practicing LGBT attorneys
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• Recommendations for creating domestic partnership benefit packages
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• Guidelines for supporting transitioning and transgender employees; and
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• Examples of LGBT-friendly policies that have been successfully implemented by law firms in Illinois
The Equality Illinois Best Practices Manual will be available as a resource for all law firms in late summer 2011. We look forward to working with firms across the state to achieve workplace equality.
Raising The Bar Nine Habits of Highly-Scoring Firms
And easy steps every firm can take right away to be LGBT-friendly… • Implement a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression • Publicize your non-discrimination policy to law students, prospective and current employees, clients, and the public • Recruit LGBT employees by attending LGBT conferences and diversity career fairs, and by reaching out to LGBT organizations, such as the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC) • Promote an LGBT-friendly office culture by using appropriate language (for example, including [same-sex] partners, along with spouses, on firm event invitations) and supporting an LGBT affinity group •
Include LGBT issues in your diversity training
• Respect transgender and gender-transitioning employees by using appropriate names and personal pronouns and having a gender-neutral dress code •
Collaborate with LGBT organizations on community events
• Encourage professional development by paying membership fees for LGBT legal associations and providing LGBT-friendly mentors • Offer a “gross-up” benefit to employees with same-sex partners to compensate for the adverse treatment by federal tax laws.
Partner Benefit and Compensation Checklist Health, welfare, and retirement benefits are vital in recruiting and retaining top employees. Offering benefits to domestic and civil union partners of employees sends a message that the firm values all of its employees equally. Prior to June 1, 2011 it was up to the employer whether to offer benefits to the partners of their employees. As of June 1, 2011 the law changed, and generally all insurance policies issued in Illinois must provide the same benefits to partners in a civil union as are private to those in an opposite-sex marriage. See below for a list of common benefits available to both same-sex partners and married partners. Health Dental Vision Dependents’ medical coverage COBRA/benefits continuation FMLA/comparable benefits Bereavement leave Supplemental life insurance Relocation assistance Adoption assistance Retiree health care Pension plan benefits Retirement benefits Survivors’ benefits Tuition Assistant to spouses and children Counseling Services Employee Discounts
Clark Hill Proudly Supports Equality Illinois and its Efforts Towards LGBT Workplace Equality Clark Hill’s full-service model offers an unmatched depth of integrated resources and talented attorneys and professionals who can anticipate and respond to your ever-changing business needs and challenges. Count on Us. Count on More. 800.949.3124 | clarkhill.com
© 2011 Clark Hill PLC
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At Perkins Coie, diversity is an essential ingredient that helps us create the best solutions for our clients. We value and encourage diverse viewpoints and draw upon them to resolve our clients’ business and legal challenges. Diversity adds perspective and creativity to what we do. It is a key ingredient to our success. Perkins Coie is honored to be recognized as a leading law firm for LGBT workplace equality. We strongly promote inclusion and advocate for the success of LGBT attorneys in our firm and the legal profession.
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“It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.� - Harvey Milk
Chapman and Cutler proudly supports Equality Illinois in its efforts to promote Justice for All.
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Fairness and Inclusion Embracing fairness and inclusion is the right thing to do. At Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, it was important to us when we were founded in 1934, and it has continued to be central to our culture as we have grown to be a national firm of approximately 500 lawyers in 24 offices. We know it is one reason we are able to be innovative and creative in helping meet our clients’ needs.
is proud to be recognized by
Equality Illinois for our commitment to
LGBT Workplace Equality Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP 222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 300 Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-704-3000 info@hinshawlaw.com | www.hinshawlaw.com Arizona California Florida Illinois Indiana Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri New York Oregon Rhode Island Wisconsin
Diverse. Inclusive. Supportive. Kirkland & Ellis is proud to work alongside Equality Illinois in pursuing its commitment to LGBT equality.
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The Mission of Equality Illinois The mission of Equality Illinois is to secure, defend, and protect equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Illinois. Equality Illinois is one of the Midwest’s largest and most influential LGBT civil rights organizations. Equality Illinois has advanced and secured legislation to prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity, and has registered thousands of new Illinois voters, and developed a strong network of over 20,000 human rights supporters throughout Illinois and beyond. Most recently, Equality Illinois worked with Illinois legislators, organizations, communities, and individuals across the state to ensure the passage of SB 1716—The Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Unions Bill. The bill was signed into law by Governor Quinn on January 31, 2010 and took effect June 1, 2011. Equality Illinois continues to advocate for civil rights for the LGBT community, including hospital visitation rights, bereavement rights, and inheritance rights, and is increasing its presence throughout central and southern Illinois. Equality Illinois also worked in a broad coalition to pass the Safe Schools Act to protect school students from bullying and harassment. Equality Illinois is expanding its membership demographics by reaching out to more women, youth, seniors, and minority groups to better represent and serve the entire LGBT community.