Cleary Gottlieb Breaks Into Top 50 of Stonewall Ranking

January 19, 2017

Cleary Gottlieb has achieved its highest-ever ranking in Stonewall’s annual “Top 100 Employers” list, and is ranked in the top 15 firms within the legal sector.

Cleary was ranked 49th in the 2017 Workplace Equality Index and was in 13th place within the legal sector.

Stonewall, which works to achieve equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, publishes its annual index as a benchmarking tool for employers to measure their efforts to create inclusive workplaces for LGBT employees. 

Cleary partner Maurits Dolmans, who, as Senior LGBT Diversity Champion, oversees the firm’s diversity activities in London, said, “We are delighted to be one of Stonewall’s Top 100 Diversity Employers. Diversity and inclusion are in Cleary Gottlieb’s DNA. This goes way beyond the basic idea of being non-discriminatory. We recognize the power of diversity and inclusion. We have long recognized that diversity of persons makes for diversity of thought. And in our industry, diversity of thought is gold dust. It makes our firm better at doing what we do for our clients, and fundamentally, it makes our firm a better and more fun place to be.” 

Some of LGBT-related diversity and inclusion initiatives that the firm has been recognized for include: 

  • Becoming the first international firm of U.S. origin to sign the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, the flagship diversity initiative of the legal profession.
  • Actively supporting LGBT causes and sponsoring both internal and external programs and social events to encourage networking, community building and a sense of support among peers.
  • Cleary’s London office  implementing LGBT initiatives such as the establishment of the London LGBT Network, London LGBT Mentoring Programme, London partners who are Senior LGBT Equality Champions and employee benefits that extend to same-sex relationships.
In 2015, Cleary ranked 72nd in the Stonewall Index. For more information about the ranking, click here.