Cleary Gottlieb has come in twelfth place in the legal sector ranking of Stonewall’s 2014 Workplace Equality Index. Stonewall, a charity that works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual (LGB) people, publishes the annual index as a benchmarking tool for employers to measure their efforts to create inclusive workplaces for LGB employees.
Cleary Gottlieb partner Maurits Dolmans, who oversees the firm’s diversity activities in London, commented:
“As a firm, we champion individuality and the unique perspectives of people from a range of backgrounds, beliefs and life experiences. While there is still work to do, it is very rewarding to be recognised for our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our London Diversity Committee, comprising partners, associates and administrative staff, plays an active role in maintaining a workplace that is free from all forms of discrimination. In 2013, for example, we introduced a LGBT Mentoring Programme to help our people develop a positive LGBT identity.
“Fostering an inclusive environment, with people with different sexual orientation, gender, age, race, nationality, religion and background, creates an open and more exciting place to work. As the first U.S. law firm to sign the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter and as a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, we strive to show that the firm’s founding principles of diversity and inclusion are very much a part of our culture today.”
Simon Feeke, Head of Workplace, Stonewall, said:
“Congratulations to Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP for their performance in the 2014 Workplace Equality Index. With the most demanding criteria to date, there was impressive performance from employers across the board. In a tough economic environment, where employers want their staff to perform to their full potential, the Index remains a powerful tool for giving employers a strong competitive edge and attracting the best staff – regardless of their sexual orientation.”
For more information about Stonewall please visit www.stonewall.org.uk
About Cleary Gottlieb
Founded in 1946 by lawyers committed to legal excellence, internationalism, and diversity, Cleary Gottlieb is a leading international law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers around the world.