News + Events
Troutman Sanders LLP Earns Top Marks in 2010 Corporate Equality Index
Law firm scores 100 in Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Eighth Annual Index
September 17, 2009
Atlanta – Troutman Sanders LLP is proud to announce that, for a second consecutive year, it has earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2010 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Troutman Sanders joins the ranks of 305 other major U.S. businesses, which get top marks for their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees and consumers.
In this year’s report, an unprecedented 88 law firms achieved 100 percent ratings, eclipsing every other industry represented in the annual survey. Twenty-eight additional firms earned ratings of 80 percent or more.
“Even in an economic environment that has presented new challenges for lawyers in private practice, the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms have only stepped up their commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse group of attorneys and staff,” said HRC Foundation President Joe Solmonese. “Legal work in this country is deeply rooted in our nation’s core values of equality and justice for all, and law firms continue to set the gold standard for treating their LGBT employees fairly.”
The CEI surveyed a total of 127 law firms, all but three of which are ranked among The American Lawyer’s 200 highest-grossing law firms. The number of firms – 88 in all – achieving the top score reflect a steady increase over past reports. In 2006, the first year law firms were invited to participate, 12 firms achieved a 100 percent rating. Perfect scores were achieved by 30 firms in 2007 and 64 firms in 2008.
Totaling all industries, including law, the CEI rated 590 businesses, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits. Troutman Sanders’ efforts in ensuring LGBT equality in each of the survey’s main criterion earned it the prestigious 100 percent ranking.
For more information on the 2010 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, please go here.
About the Human Rights Campaign:
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
About Troutman Sanders:
Troutman Sanders LLP is an international law firm with over 700 lawyers and 15 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1897, the firm’s lawyers provide counsel and advice in practically every aspect of civil and commercial law related to the firm’s core practice areas: Corporate, Finance, Litigation, Public Law and Real Estate. Firm clients range from multinational corporations to individual entrepreneurs, federal and state agencies to foreign governments, and non-profit organizations to businesses representing nearly every sector and industry. See www.troutmansanders.com for more information.
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