San Francisco, CA (September 21, 2009) - Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management, is proud to announce that it has once again achieved a perfect Corporate Equality Index (CEI) rating of 100% for 2010. This top rating, which has been given to the Firm by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation – the educational arm of the nation's largest advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans – places Littler on the HRC Foundation's list of "Best Places to Work".
The HRC Foundation, which this year rated a total of 590 businesses in its eighth annual CEI report, measures the extent to which employers protect and support LGBT employees in the workplace. Ratings are based on factors including whether they have a written non-discrimination policy and training covering sexual orientation and gender identity; provide insurance that covers transgender-related treatments; support same-sex partners of employees with health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies; have LGBT employee groups; engage in appropriate and respectful advertising to the community; contribute to community organizations; and decline to engage in any activities that would undermine the goal of equal rights for LGBT individuals.
"Diversity has long been an important cultural value at Littler and we are honored to once again receive a 100% rating by the HRC Foundation," said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the Firm. "At Littler, we understand the importance of a diverse workforce to the Firm and our clients. Through our focus on diversity and inclusion programs, we continue to provide opportunities that foster growth and leadership for all of our employees," he added.
Littler's score was based on information submitted by the Firm as well as independent research conducted by the HRC Foundation. In addition, initiatives that contributed to Littler's high marks include sponsorship of the National LGBT Bar Association's 21st Annual Career Fair and Conference held this past year in Brooklyn, New York and Littler's Firm video focused on the importance of creating an environment of inclusion for the LGBT community.
"Even in an economic environment that has presented new challenges for lawyers in private practice, the nation's largest and most prestigious law firms have only stepped up their commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse group of attorneys and staff," said HRC Foundation President Joe Solmonese. "Legal work in this country is deeply rooted in our nation's core values of equality and justice for all, and law firms continue to set the gold standard for treating their LGBT employees fairly."
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues. As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than 750,000 members and supporters nationwide.
About Littler Mendelson
With more than 750 attorneys and 47 offices, Littler Mendelson is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. As the only U.S. member of the Ius Laboris global alliance, Littler has extensive resources to address the needs of multi-national clients, from navigating international employment laws and labor relations issues to applying corporate policies worldwide. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record. For more information, visit www.littler.com.