Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani is pleased to announce that for the sixth consecutive year it received a 100% rating – a perfect score - on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index (“CEI”), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ("LGBTQ") workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (“HRC”) Foundation.
The 2021 CEI evaluated LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Gordon & Rees' efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100% ranking and designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
"Earning a perfect score for the sixth consecutive year is an important milestone for the firm and reflects its continued commitment to fostering all facets of workplace diversity, equality, and inclusion as an organization," said Dion Cominos, Firmwide Managing Partner.
For more than three decades, Gordon & Rees' Diversity Committee has focused on maintaining and improving diversity and inclusivity throughout the firm. The firm actively supports efforts to advance diversity in the legal profession by developing, funding and hosting diversity programs as well as attending, supporting and participating in numerous events throughout the country provided by diversity-related legal profession organizations.
“During this unprecedented year in which employers faced a public health challenge and widespread social unrest, I am so proud of our firm’s continued commitment to its diversity initiatives, particularly our LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices,” said Laura De Santos co-chair of the firm's National Diversity Committee.
To further the goals of diversity and inclusion, the firm has five active affinity groups: LGBTQ, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and South Asian. Each affinity group has its own established goals and initiatives. The groups meet regularly to network, socialize and provide mentoring opportunities to its members. Membership is open to all attorneys who share the affinity or who are supporting allies.
"As co-chair of the firm’s LGBTQ Affinity Group, I am pleased the firm has once again received recognition for its leadership and its ongoing support as it relates to the LGBTQ community. With 70 offices throughout the country, I am proud of the firm’s partnerships with national and local organizations to make a positive impact for members of the LGBTQ community," said Dominic Campodonico.
In December 2020, the firm began implementation of its Leadership Equality and Diversity (“LEAD”) Program as part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to recruit, retain, and promote female and diverse attorneys to the highest positions of management and ownership at the firm. This initiative, which will work in tandem with the ongoing programs undertaken by the firm’s Diversity Committee, Women’s Initiative, and Affinity Groups, has been specifically tailored to achieve Gordon & Rees’ core objectives in the areas of diversity and inclusion. In addition to its focus on attorneys, the LEAD Program will also encompass Gordon & Rees’ administrative and professional staff to ensure that material levels of diversity are achieved in these segments of the firm as well. More information can be found here.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
For more information about diversity at Gordon & Rees, please click here.
For more information on the Corporate Equality Index 2021, or to download a free copy of the report, click here.