City law firms dominate LGBT top 100 employer list

Pinsent Masons came out on top

Sixteen City law firms secured places in this year’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employer power list — with international outfit Pinsent Masons bagging top spot.

Improving on last year’s number two slot, Pinsents has been crowned 2019’s most inclusive employer in the UK by Stonewall, the lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity. Other top-ranking firms include Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (2), Baker McKenzie (10), Dentons (15) and Travers Smith (25).

The annual rankings are compiled from submissions to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, a benchmarking tool used by employers to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace.

Other firms recognised for their inclusivity efforts this year were Norton Rose Fulbright (32), Hogan Lovells (34), Allen & Overy (=37), Clifford Chance (=37), Taylor Wessing (=37), Linklaters (51), DWF (59), Eversheds Sutherland (66), Slaughter and May (70), Trowers & Hamlins (83) and Gowling WLG (98).

Commenting on the firm’s success, Pinsent Masons senior partner, Richard Foley, said:

“This is a very special achievement for us. It isn’t about reaching the top spot; it’s about what the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index stands for and what everyone engaged in it is working so hard to accomplish. Pinsent Masons was the first law firm to be ranked in the Index in 2008. Today the legal sector is represented by 16 firms. Our ranking recognises that like many other organisations we are championing LGBT+ inclusion in everything that we do. Pinsent Masons has created an inclusive workplace that enables everyone to be themselves; from our recruitment processes through to our engagement with clients.”

As part of today’s rankings, Pinsents, BCLP and Bakers were also named “top-trans inclusive employers”. The top 100 rankings can be viewed in full here.

Stonewall Top 100 UK (law firms only)