Strong showing from the legal profession in 2017 Stonewall rankings
Seventeen City law firms have landed places in this year’s lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) employer power list.
Released by equality charity Stonewall, the top 100 rankings — compiled using a benchmarking tool called the “workplace equality index” — recognises the work undertaken by large organisations to promote inclusivity.
The accolade of highest positioning law firm went to City outfit Pinsent Masons. Building upon a strong 2016 performance (when it ranked fifth), the firm elevated three places this year to bag the number two slot.
Reflecting on the firm’s excellent performance, Kate Fergusson, head of responsible business and chair of Pinsent Masons’ Allies network, said:
In the last 12 months, we have increased our focus on gender identity, introducing gender identity monitoring and reporting, publishing new guidelines on transitioning at work and providing training and awareness raising sessions for our people.
Other City outfits to make the top ten are magic circle giant Clifford Chance, which ranked fourth, and Baker McKenzie, which took seventh. Berwin Leighton Paisner — a new entry to this year’s list — finished eighth, while Norton Rose Fulbright climbed an impressive 12 places and took tenth.
The other firms recognised for their inclusivity endeavours over the past year were Dentons (17th), Hogan Lovells (17th), Herbert Smith Freehills (24th), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (25th), CMS (31st), DWF (36th) and K&L Gates (43rd).
Missing out on a top 50 slot but still featuring in this year’s top 100 were Cleary Gottlieb and Travers Smith. Both new entrants, these firms took 49th and 58th positions respectively. Eversheds bagged 69th, seeing off competition from elite magic circle outfit Slaughter and May (70th) and Reed Smith (75th).
Simmons & Simmons is not ranked in the official list. Instead, for the second year running, the firm has been handed the title of “star performer”. According to Stonewall this means the firm has been specially recognised for its consistent and exemplary support for its LGBT staff.
Lloyds Banking Group was named Stonewall’s 2017 employer of the year.
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