Stinson Earns Perfect Score in Corporate Equality Index for the Fourth Year in a Row

01.28.2021

Stinson LLP is proud to be recognized for its commitment to LGBTQ workplace equality with a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). As a result of the firm's workplace protections, employee benefits and public engagement in the LGBTQ community, the firm received "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality" designation. This is the fourth consecutive year for receiving a top score.

"Creating and supporting a diverse and welcoming culture is a core Stinson value and it enables our attorneys, staff and especially our clients to feel welcome and to thrive," said Mark Hinderks, Stinson's managing partner. “We are devoted to being a true leader in the legal industry and broader community for LGBTQ equality."

Stinson’s LGBTQ initiatives include: partnerships and financial support for 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; a commitment to education through LGBT Continuing Legal Education seminars; dedicated recruitment of LGBTQ attorneys and staff; and continued engagement through our LGBT Employee Resource Group.

"As an openly gay law firm executive, I take great pride in this recognition, knowing that it signals to LGBTQ individuals that Stinson is a place where you can thrive," Jenrette-Thomas said. "We constantly push ourselves to be a legal industry diversity and inclusion leader. We worked proactively to adopt gender transition guidelines, create a welcoming environment for our LGBTQ attorneys and staff through our LGBT ERG, support our attorneys, staff and their families with inclusive policies and benefits, and ensure equal employment opportunities for all.”

A CEI Score of 100 is an important element of Stinson's strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives, led by Ann Jenrette-Thomas, chief diversity and inclusion officer.

Stinson joins leading U.S. businesses in supporting the LGBTQ community who earned top marks this year from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The foundation serves as the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

“From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to a long overdue reckoning with racial injustice, 2020 was an unprecedented year. Yet, many businesses across the nation stepped up and continued to prioritize and champion LGBTQ equality,” said Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President.