Stinson Earns Perfect Score in Corporate Equality Index for the Fifth Year in a Row

01.27.2022

Stinson LLP is proud to be recognized for its commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace equality with a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). As a result of the firm's workplace protections, employee benefits and public engagement in the LGBTQ+ community, the firm received "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality" designation. This is the fifth consecutive year for receiving a top score.

"Stinson is honored to be named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality for five years in a row. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and to taking the action necessary to ensure a sense of belonging for all of our LGBTQ+ attorneys and staff," said Allison Murdock, Stinson's managing partner. “We applaud the Human Rights Campaign for creating an effective tool that guides businesses as we work to provide greater equality for our LGBTQ+ community and their families."

As part of Stinson’s ongoing commitment to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, the firm offers attorneys and the staff the opportunity to add pronouns to their email signature, firm bio, intranet and Zoom profile, and LinkedIn. Response to this new option has been well received and adopted by more than 25% of our constituents. Other Stinson LGBTQ+ initiatives include: partnerships and financial support for the National LGBT Bar Association, Kansas City Lesbian Gay and Allied Lawyers (KC LEGAL), Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, Mid-America Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; a commitment to education through LGBT Continuing Legal Education seminars; dedicated recruitment of LGBTQ+ attorneys and staff; and continued engagement through our LGBT Employee Resource Group.

A CEI Score of 100 is an important element of Stinson's strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives, led by Ann Jenrette-Thomas, chief diversity and inclusion officer.

"Anytime I looked for a job, I would check to see how the law firm ranked on the Corporate Equality Index. If I saw that the firm scored 100, I knew that, as an openly gay person, I would be welcomed. Of course I wish our society were at a place where we wouldn't need such a recognition, but at least it signals to LGBTQ+ individuals that Stinson is a place where you belong and can thrive," Jenrette-Thomas said. " We create a welcoming environment for our LGBTQ attorneys and staff through our LGBTQ ERG, gender transition guidelines, ability to add pronouns, and inclusive policies, benefits and opportunities.”

Stinson joins leading U.S. businesses in supporting the LGBTQ+ community who earned top marks this year from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The foundation serves as the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

“When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers—from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns—could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere.”

For more information on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index, download a free copy of the report.