Baker Donelson received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Baker Donelson joins the ranks of 517 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
"Baker Donelson has continued to demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive atmosphere that cultivates ideas from the unique perspectives of each of our employees," said Mark A. Baugh, chair of Baker Donelson's Diversity Committee. "This is the second consecutive year we have achieved a 100 percent in the Corporate Equality Index and we are honored by this recognition, as it shows us that we are on the right path as we continue our efforts through firm initiatives."
The 2017 CEI rated 1,043 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Baker Donelson's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking for the second consecutive year and the designation as a "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality."
This is the latest of several recent recognitions honoring Baker Donelson as a diverse workplace. Earlier this year, the Firm was named one of Fortune's "100 Best Workplaces for Women" and was also ranked among the top ten law firms in the country in Vault, Inc.'s "Best Law Firms for Diversity" list. Baker Donelson's launched the Diversity Initiative in 2002 to focus on recruiting, developing, and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds and creating an inclusive workplace environment. The also recently launched "Baker Affinitas," an affinity group for LGBT interests, including the establishment of an LGBT pro bono initiative.