Boston, MA. For the thirteenth year in a row, global 100 law firm Nixon Peabody earned a perfect Corporate Equality Index score by the Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest and leading LGBTQ advocacy groups in the U.S.
The Corporate Equality Index evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Nixon Peabody was one of the first law firms in the country to extend health care and welfare coverage to domestic partners.
“Ensuring all individuals have equal access to opportunities and necessary resources, in addition to support provided by the firm, helps them reach their full potential. Nixon Peabody is proud to earn a 100% rating on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index,” said Andrew I. Glincher, CEO and Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody. “By creating a culture that fully embraces differences and promotes inclusion, we can provide better value for our clients. The progress we have made so far is truly a testament to Nixon Peabody’s focus on putting people at the center of our business.”
Attorneys at Nixon Peabody have long served as vocal advocates for LGBTQ equality through client work and pro bono service. Earlier this month, a team of litigators from the firm’s Chicago office obtained a favorable and precedent-setting decision from the Iowa Supreme Court, allowing two transgendered women to receive gender-affirming surgery through the state’s Medicaid program.
Nixon Peabody is also focused on helping drive economic development in the LGBTQ business community, partnering with StartOut to create the first-ever diversity oriented startup accelerator within a major law firm. Based in Nixon Peabody’s San Francisco office, the accelerator offers mentoring, education and networking opportunities for LGBTQ entrepreneurs.
Click here for the Human Rights Campaign’s full report and 2019 Corporate Equality Index rating.
Nixon Peabody’s LGBTQ colleagues share their perspectives about this HRC recognition and the law firm’s inclusive culture:
“I have been unabashedly myself, since my very first day at Nixon Peabody and it has never gotten in the way of my success. For me being LGBT at Nixon Peabody means being just like everyone else.”—Ed Campbell, Partner, Los Angeles
“Two years into working at the firm I began my gender transition. My colleagues were so kind and helped me with all the changes to my personnel file—from the name plate on my door to my business cards—and they did it all with a smile. Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that the administrative hurdles to transitioning at work would have already been carefully and compassionately considered and addressed by my employer. Six years later I am still at Nixon Peabody and could not be prouder.”—Anders van Marter, Senior eDiscovery Specialist, Chicago
“From my first interactions with the firm, Nixon Peabody has always accepted me exactly as I am. My diversity is not only welcomed, but celebrated.”—Marissa Wiley, Partner, Albany
“After interviewing and accepting a summer associate position, I noticed a natural inclusivity in interactions with many people at the firm. Although there is always progress to be made with respect to diversity and inclusion, after being at NP for more than eight years now, I feel blessed to work in a diverse work environment in which I believe that my identity is not a barrier to achievement or professional relationships.”—Brian Whittaker, Associate, Washington, DC
“For a number of reasons, it can be challenging for someone like me to feel like they’re in the right job and at the right organization. The creativity and experience and wisdom that I get to engage with every day is so awesome. I’ve learned so much at NP. It’s amazing how much you realize you have to offer when you don’t have to worry about being judged in an exclusionary way.”—Mark DeWaters, Administrative Assistant, Rochester