Stinson Earns Top Marks in 2019 Corporate Equality Index

03.28.2019

Stinson LLP is proud to announce the firm has earned a perfect score of 100 on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.

The 2019 CEI evaluates 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. Stinson’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. The firm joins the ranks of over 560 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to their global operations and impacting millions of people beyond our shores,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Many of these companies have also become vocal advocates for equality in the public square, including the dozens that have signed on to amicus briefs in vital Supreme Court cases and the more than 170 that have joined HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. Time and again, leading American businesses have shown that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business.”

"We are thrilled to have earned a perfect score yet again, and we commend the HRC for its commitment to such a crucial issue," said Mark Hinderks, Stinson's managing partner. "This recognition reminds us that while we're making progress, we are by no means finished with our diversity and inclusion efforts. We know that creating and supporting a diverse and welcoming culture makes us a better law firm for our attorneys and staff, and especially our clients, all of whom we are committed to and value deeply. We are devoted to being a true leader within the law industry for the LGBTQ community."

Stinson is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and non-harassment for all employees and applicants. We proactively adopted gender transition guidelines as an employee resource to support the needs of our transgender and gender non-binary workforce. We are also proud to offer comprehensive benefits packages to all domestic partners of our employees.

Our LGBTQ initiatives include sponsorships and partnerships with 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; hosting Continuing Legal Education seminars on LGBT legal issues; dedicated recruitment of LGBTQ attorneys and staff and continued engagement with our LGBTQ Employee Resource Group. Learn more about our diversity initiatives here.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

For more information on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index, download a free copy of the report.