Bakers, Pinsents and Freshfields make top ten in 2015 Stonewall LGB 100
Trio reach summit of Stonewall ranking as pressure for more diverse workforce rises
January 16, 2015 at 06:02 AM
2 minute read
Three law firms have broken into the top ten for the first time in this year's list of the 100 leading UK employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) staff by charity Stonewall as client pressure for more diverse lawyers rises.
Baker & McKenzie reached sixth place, the highest ever ranking attained by a law firm, compared to nineteenth in 2014. It entered the top 100 for the first time in 2011. Pinsent Masons and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer were tied in ninth place, rising from 66th and 45th respectively.
Overall ten law firms made the cut in this year's list, unchanged from last year, but the legal sector made its strongest appearance since the index began in 2005.
One reason law firms are increasing their initiatives in the LGBT sector is to attract clients, said Harry Small, head of the global technology practice group at Bakers and the firm's global lead for LGBT issues.
"The expectations from clients have increased. Clients have an inclusive and diverse workforce and expect their lawyers to have the same. They don't want to be represented just by straight, white men."
Bakers' LGBT/Allies network comprises over 250 members; almost one third of the firm's London workforce.
The other firms in the top 100 were Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) in 22nd place, CMS Cameron McKenna in 40th and Hogan Lovells in 48th place. HSF improved its position from joint 30th last year.
New entrant Cleary Gottlieb was ranked in 72nd place.
Eversheds was 67th and Norton Rose Fulbright 75th. K&L Gates was ranked 88th.
Simmons & Simmons, which reached the top ten last year and came top of the legal sector, achieved star performer status. The new ranking, first announced in December, is designed to include organizations that have appeared at least three times in the top ten over the past five years.
David Stone, a partner at Simmons and co-chair of the firm's LGBT Network, said the firm had been asked to take on three specific projects over the next 12 months including an inquiry into the differences between company and partnership structures for the LGBT sector.
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