SAN FRANCISCO, CA (November 19, 2014) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has earned a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRC) newly-released 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality. This marks the 7th year that Littler has earned top marks in the annual study.
“We are honored to have achieved a perfect rating in the Corporate Equality Index and to be recognized by the LGBT community for our ongoing efforts in advancing diversity in the workplace,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of the firm. “Diversity and inclusion are among Littler’s core values and we are proud to have assembled a team of attorneys and professional staff who come from different backgrounds, bring their distinct perspectives that enrich our culture, enhance our work and make us a stronger firm.”
Since its inception, the CEI has become the gold standard for corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees and their families and rates companies on 40 such policies and practices. Employers that have earned a 100 percent rating in the report have satisfied criteria relating to equal employment opportunity policies, employee benefits, organizational LGBT competency, public engagement and responsible citizenship and are listed as a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.”
Littler’s leadership reflects the importance the firm places on diversity and inclusion. In January 2014, the firm elected Lisa “Lee” Schreter, an openly gay female shareholder, chair of the firm’s Board of Directors. The firm continues to be a leader in developing and championing innovative programs designed to cultivate LGBT workplace equality. In addition to Pride, Littler’s affinity group focused on providing support, development and networking opportunities for LGBTA attorneys and professional staff, the firm also boasts a mentoring program that pairs higher-level, high-performing LGBT, disabled and/or minority associates with influential shareholders. And, the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Practice Group educates and counsels clients on developing and implementing diversity policies and strategies.
Other diversity efforts include Littler shareholder Eva Madison signing the first same-sex marriage license this past May when she served as Justice of the Peace at the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Littler continues to earn widespread industry recognition for its diversity initiatives. View a comprehensive list of the firm’s diversity rankings.
View the 2015 CEI in entirety.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign 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.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,000 attorneys in over 60 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 70 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.