Equality Illinois-Raising the Bar 2016

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RAISING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Embracing Difference Our diverse and inclusive work culture—where all talent is supported and accorded equal respect— strengthens our service to clients and enhances our ability to inspire, create and innovate.

Thank you, EQIL, for once again recognizing our efforts, which make us one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. ©2016 Kaye Scholer LLP, 250 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019-9710.

www.kayescholer.com

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Hon. Staci M. Yandle

Judge Staci Michelle Yandle received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1983 from the University of Illinois. She received a Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the Vanderbilt University School of Law. From 1987 to 2014, she was in private practice as an associate with the law firm of Carr, Korein, Tillery , Kunin, Montroy & Glass in East Saint Louis, Illinois, a partner with The Rex Carr Law Firm, also in East Saint Louis, Illinois and founder of The Law Offices of Staci M. Yandle in Belleville and O’Fallon, Illinois. While in private practice, Judge Yandle was a trial attorney handling personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, wrongful death and civil rights cases.

In addition to her practice of law, she served on the Illinois Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, the Illinois Gaming Board and was an active member of numerous professional, civic and public service organizations. On January 16, 2014, Judge Yandle was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois. Judge Yandle was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 16, 2014 and invested as a member of the Court on August 21, 2014. She is the first openly gay judge in the Seventh Circuit, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. She is also the first African-American District Judge in the Southern District of Illinois.

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A proud supporter of Equality Illinois.

Dentons is honored to be one of the most LGBT-inclusive law firms in Illinois.

Dentons. Now the world’s largest global elite law firm.* *Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index 2013–2015.

dentons.com © 2016 Dentons. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. Please see dentons.com for Legal Notices.

RAISING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

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is honored to be selected by

Equality Illinois DV RQH RI WKH WRS ,OOLQRLV ODZ ¿UPV for LGBT inclusiveness and equality.

Franczek Radelet provides a personal approach and exceptional value.

We provide exceptional value by focusing on a few areas of law— labor, employment and education—and doing them exceedingly well.

We are unconditionally committed to the goal of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our commitment includes fostering an environment where LGBT employees have the opportunity to thrive. We fully support those who wish to self-identify as well as those who wish to uphold their right to privacy.

300 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3400 | CHICAGO, IL 60606 T: 312.986.0300 | F: 312.986.9192 | WWW.FRANCZEK.COM © Franczek Radelet P.C. All Rights Reserved. Attorney advertising.

WELCOME Dear Colleagues: On behalf of Equality Illinois, I am honored to recognize law firms that are leading the way with regard to creating a welcoming and affirming workplace for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.

The past few years have brought with them major advances in the work to create a more equal and accepting society for LGBT Americans. And yet, there is much work to be done to ensure we arrive at the day where LGBT Americans are fully equal. To bring about this day requires that all sectors of society take affirmative steps to create an inclusive and supportive community – both within your workplace and in society at large.

The fight for LGBT equality is often fought judicially, administratively, and legislatively.

Because of this, law firms–as institutions that make the practice of law their business–play a particularly salient role in advancing LGBT equality. When law firms not only fight for equality and inclusiveness, but mirror the world they hope to see within their own offices, they send a powerful message about the importance of fully embracing all coworkers and staff equally.

We want to honor the law firms that have taken the initiative to raise the bar by which other firms and companies can be measured towards LGBT inclusivity. If you would like more information, Equality Illinois is committed to supporting you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, suggestions or requests for materials and resources.

Together, we can build a better Illinois.

Sincerely yours,

Brian C. Johnson Chief Executive Officer

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RAISING THE BAR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT

Equality Illinois is dedicated to ensuring that every law firm operating in the State of Illinois provides a safe and fair work environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees. This spring, we conducted our eleventh annual comprehensive survey of law firms doing business in Illinois to assess firms’ commitment to their LGBT attorneys and staff, as well as the firms’ engagement with the LGBT community at large.

The Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey is unique in its exclusive focus on law firms. We believe that lawyers, as defenders of the law, need to be at the forefront of equal work environments for LGBT individuals. This focus also allows our survey to draw fair comparisons between respondents and tailor our survey to the unique needs of law firms operating in the State of Illinois.

Although there are national surveys that measure many of the same indices as the Equality Illinois survey, ours necessarily sets a higher bar. Thanks to the hard work of Equality Illinois and many others, Illinois is one of twenty states in which sexual orientation and gender identity are protected classes in the workplace. In addition, other statewide administrative guidelines set a far higher bar in law than can be measured by a national index. This higher baseline puts Illinois employers ahead of the pack, but it also gives them a greater responsibility to push the envelope in securing truly LGBT-inclusive policies in the workplace. As such, the Equality Illinois survey measures workplace equality in three categories: employment benefits, workplace diversity initiatives, and community relations.

With the information gathered from the 2016 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, we have identified the law firms in Illinois that are leading the way to LGBT workplace equality. Equality Illinois recognizes the outstanding achievements of law firms across the state, and we hope that highlighting these luminaries and their best practices will spur the development of fair LGBT policies at every firm. Equality Illinois will provide the tools for firms in the state to strengthen their LGBT-friendly policies in order to retain top talent and remain competitive.

In this brochure, you will find a summary of the results from our 2016 survey, including statistics on law firms’ non-discrimination policies, workplace practices, and outreach to the LGBT community. We have included preliminary recommendations for fostering an LGBT-friendly environment. In addition to this summary, we have published the Corporate Best Practices Manual with comprehensive policy recommendations, which we continue to distribute in firms and practices nationwide.

Thank you to all the law firms that participated in the 2016 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey!

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Skadden is proud to be recognized as one of the top law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality by Equality Illinois.

Diversity and excellence are inextricably intertwined.

1,700 attorneys 22 offices 50+ practices

Beijing Boston Brussels Chicago Frankfurt Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Moscow Munich New York Palo Alto Paris SĂŁo Paulo Seoul Shanghai Singapore Tokyo Toronto Washington, D.C. Wilmington

skadden.com

RAISING THE BAR THE PROCESS

This spring, Equality Illinois issued the 2016 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey to over 200 firms, of all sizes, doing business in the state of Illinois.

The survey included questions on law firm personnel policies, civil union and same-sex partner benefits, diversity trainings, and engagement with the LGBT community at large, among other practices. We collected samples of the best practices relating to non-discrimination policies and same-sex partner benefits, as well as any other materials related to LGBT community involvement and office culture.

Using the information provided by the responding law firms, Equality Illinois scored the firms based on how welcoming and equitable their policies are to LGBT employees. Each responding firm was given a personalized response that included firm-specific ways through which they could improve their practices and policies. While the firms we highlight are leading the way, none were perfect: there is always more work to be done towards ensuring an LGBT-inclusive workplace.

We applaud the firms that are spearheading the movement towards LGBT workplace equality, and honor the firms with a strengthening commitment to workplace equality. This year, the firms are being recognized before their colleagues at a celebratory breakfast reception and throughout the year at our various events.

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SmithAmundsen embraces the diverse perspectives and experiences that exist within the legal profession and is dedicated to nurturing a culturally rich, collaborative and inclusive working environment.

Our goal is to enhance recruiting and mentoring efforts, and to empower members of the firm to become active and engaged in their communities. We aim to provide the resources necessary to remain competitive and relevant in an evolving global marketplace.

www.saLAWus.com 150 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60601 | 312.894.3200 Attorney Advertising

Speaking out for equality.

Sidley supports Equality Illinois’ dedication to secure, protect and defend the rights of the LGBT community across Illinois. We are proud to again be a top law firm for LGBT equality.

Find out how we

Sally Olson Chief Diversity Officer One South Dearborn Chicago, IL 60603 +1.312.853.7000 +1.312.853.7036 Fax

are fostering inclusiveness in our law firm’s culture at sidley.com/diversity

AMERICAS • ASIA PACIFIC • EUROPE

Attorney Advertising - Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603. 312 853 7000. Sidley and Sidley Austin refer to Sidley Austin LLP and affiliated partnerships as explained at www.sidley.com/disclaimer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Some photos on this brochure may be of actors and not of clients or firm personnel.

Thompson Coburn LLP Proudly Supports

EQUALITY ILLINOIS Thank you for recognizing our firm as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality.

www.thompsoncoburn.com The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Arnstein & Lehr LLP, with offices in Illinois and Florida, is one of the country’s oldest and most respected law firms. Since its founding in 1893, the firm has served a diverse client base, including large corporations, middle market companies, nonprofit organizations, and emerging businesses throughout the United States and abroad. It is a fullservice firm with attorneys practicing in five main practice areas - Business, Litigation, Local Government, Tax and Estate Planning Services, and Real Estate.

DLA Piper is a global law firm with 4,200 lawyers located in 30 countries, with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Our core practices include Corporate and Finance, Litigation, Intellectual Property and Technology, Real Estate, Government Affairs and Tax. Our values include a commitment to our people, our communities and our clients and diversity and inclusion are an integral part of that commitment.

SmithAmundsen is comprised of more than 160 attorneys practicing in communities across the Midwest handling the transactional, labor and employment, and litigation needs of companies throughout the U.S. SmithAmundsen embraces the diverse perspectives and experiences that exist within the legal profession. To that end, the firm is dedicated to nurturing a culturally rich, collaborative and inclusive working environment.

Quarles & Brady is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of complex litigation and transactional legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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Through Diversity, Our Differences Bring Us Together

And Make Us Stronger.

Quarles & Brady is proud to stand with Equality Illinois.

We are a stronger organization, thanks to our inclusive environment, so we will always remain deeply committed to programs and policies that address the needs of our LGBT colleagues.

For more information on our commitment to diversity, visit us at quarles.com/diversity/ or contact George J. Marek, Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair, at 414.277.5537 or george.marek@quarles.com.

quarles.com

SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2015 Global Elite Brand Index, Dentons is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value in new and inventive ways. Driven to provide clients a competitive edge, and connected to the communities where its clients want to do business, Dentons knows that understanding local cultures is crucial to successfully completing a deal, resolving a dispute or solving a business challenge.

Clark Hill PLC is a full-service law firm that provides business legal services, government and public affairs, and personal legal services to our clients throughout the country. With offices in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and West Virginia Clark Hill has more than 350 attorneys and professionals. For more information, visit www.clarkhill.com.

Michael Best is a leading law firm, providing a full range of legal services to clients on a local, regional, national, and global basis. The firm has more than 220 attorneys in Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; Salt Lake City, Utah; Washington, D.C.; and Austin, Texas.

Michael Best’s main areas of practice include intellectual property, labor and employment relations (including employee benefits), litigation, and transactional (including corporate, tax, real estate/project development and financing, and wealth planning). For more information, visit michaelbest.com.

Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie advises many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organizations through 12,000 staff in 77 offices in 47 countries. The Firm is known for its global perspective, deep understanding of the local language and culture of business, uncompromising commitment to excellence, and world-class fluency in client service. Eduardo Leite is Chairman of the Executive Committee.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Sidley is a premier law firm with a practice highly attuned to the ever-changing international landscape. The firm has built a reputation as an adviser for global business, with more than 1,900 lawyers in 20 offices worldwide. We provide quality legal services and offer advice in litigation, transactional and regulatory matters spanning virtually every area of law. Our lawyers have widereaching legal backgrounds and are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration and superior client service.

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is a national, full-service law firm providing business, regulatory and dispute resolution solutions to public and private corporations, multinational Fortune 100 companies and start-ups. Building on a rich 167-year history, our more than 600 lawyers across 11 offices uphold our firm’s reputation for delivering outstanding legal results in a broad range of industry sectors, such as health care, financial services, insurance, energy, retail, education, and pharma and life sciences.

Marshall Gerstein & Borun provides sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to many of the world’s largest, most innovative businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs. For more than six decades, we have been exclusively dedicated to excellence in the practice of IP law. Our size and singular focus enhance efficiency, foster responsive and creative decision-making, and help clients achieve missioncritical results. We cultivate trust, communicate clearly, and deliver effective solutions.

Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm focused on client service and relationships. With more than 1700 lawyers, and 26 offices spanning the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, we are a firm as diverse as the continents across which we practice and the clients we serve. Though we work from multiple locations, our lawyers and staff are linked by much more than technology. We are united by a culture that is defined by a firm-wide commitment to professional development, teamwork, diversity and inclusion, and pro bono and community service. These foster a workplace in which diversity and inclusion, pro bono service and community support are manifest.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Goldberg Kohn is a midsized Chicago law firm where talented, energetic and committed attorneys enjoy the rewards of a sophisticated, commercial law practice without falling victim to the internal competition that often characterizes large firm life.

Established in 1976, the firm's practice has increased on a national and international scope and the firm is proud to rank among the finest firms in the Chicago legal community.

Please visit www.goldbergkohn.com for more information.

Latham & Watkins' lawyers, paralegals and professional staff worldwide comprise a rich mixture of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, cultures and primary languages. Our commitment to diversity enables us to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to recruit and retain the best lawyers in the world and to provide innovative legal solutions for our clients’ most complicated business challenges.

Founded in New York in 1917, Kaye Scholer combines the continuity and business acumen of a century-old law firm with a practical forwardlooking, results-driven approach. Focusing on two key sectors, life sciences and financial services, the firm draws on its strengths in bankruptcy, corporate, finance, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and tax to offer strategic guidance and sophisticated legal counsel to public and private entities in litigation, transactional or governance matters. Kaye Scholer’s lawyers regularly advise clients across multiple legal jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, UK, EU and China.

With 22 offices and approximately 1,700 attorneys, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP serves clients in every major international financial center.

Our clients include approximately 50 percent of the Fortune 250 industrial and service corporations, as well as financial and governmental entities, small, entrepreneurial companies and nonprofits.

Skadden is committed to providing our clients with the highest-quality and most cost-effective legal services in an atmosphere emphasizing teamwork, creativity, responsiveness and diversity.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with over 500 attorneys providing coordinated legal services across the United States and in London.

Hinshaw lawyers partner with businesses, governmental entities and individuals to help them effectively address legal challenges and seize opportunities. Founded in 1934, the firm represents clients in complex litigation and in regulatory and transactional matters.

Schiff Hardin’s more than 300 lawyers, working from eight offices nationwide, are passionately committed to our clients’ interests and goals. We count the firm’s diversity among its greatest assets, because we know that diverse teams deliver better results for our clients and strengthen our firm.

Committed to an inclusive culture and diverse professional workforce, Schiff Hardin is proud to earn Equality Illinois’ recognition as a leading law firm for LGBT diversity and inclusion.

Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the world. Among the nation's largest law firms, we provide representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. We believe that diversity is not only intrinsically important, but is imperative to serving our clients successfully in a global economy.

Katten is a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services globally.

Our more than 650 attorneys located across the US, London, and Shanghai serve public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and non-profit organizations and individuals. The firm’s core areas of practice are corporate, financial services, insolvency and restructuring, litigation, real estate, environmental, commercial finance, intellectual property, and trusts and estates.

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Diversity

Drinker Biddle is honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois.

We support its mission of fostering inclusiveness in the workplace.

www.drinkerbiddle.com CALIFORNIA | DELAWARE | ILLINOIS | NEW JERSEY NEW YORK | PENNSYLVANIA | WASHINGTON DC Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. A Delaware limited liability partnership. Jonathan I. Epstein and Andrew B. Joseph., Partners in Charge of the Princeton and Florham Park, N.J., offices, respectively.

SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Mayer Brown is a leading global law firm advising clients across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East known for its client-focused approach to providing creative solutions to complex problems on behalf of businesses, governments and individuals. Mayer Brown is particularly renowned for its Supreme Court & Appellate, Litigation, Corporate & Securities, Finance, Real Estate and Tax Practices. We serve many of the world's largest companies and more than half of the world's largest banks.

Jenner & Block is a law firm with global reach, with more than 500 lawyers and offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. Recognized every year since the inception of EQIL’s Law Firm Survey, the firm has a longstanding history of supporting LGBT civil rights and serving as counsel in landmark LGBT civil liberties cases, including Lawrence v. Texas, the watershed Supreme Court decision that paved the way for marriage equality.

Greenberg Traurig is an international law firm with approximately 1900 attorneys serving clients from 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. GT provides integrated, business-focused legal services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to innovative start-ups. The firm’s multidisciplinary teams include senior lawyers who have served as chief legal officers at major multinational companies and have spent years solving real-world problems in the business, political and legal arenas.

McGuireWoods is a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 23 offices committed to serving clients with diverse and inclusive teams of lawyers. We earn the longstanding loyalty of our clients through our deep legal experience, our business-minded solutions, and our unmatched service. Most importantly, we listen to our clients. We share a passionate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Diverse in-house and outside legal teams, working collaboratively, deliver superior results.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is proud to once again be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBTQ inclusiveness and equality. We believe that promoting equality and inclusion not only supports our LGBTQ attorneys and staff, it also promotes creativity, opportunity and professional development throughout the firm, making it a better place to work and allowing us to better serve our clients.

With more than 1,000 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia, Perkins Coie LLP represents great companies across a wide range of industries and stages of growth—from startups to FORTUNE 50 corporations. Perkins Coie embraces diversity as part of our commitment to excellence and community. Embracing diversity allows us to draw from varied perspectives in order to deliver excellence to our clients and attract the very best talent to our ranks.

Diversity and inclusiveness are core values at Winston & Strawn. Ours is a global practice that, we believe, should reflect the diverse world that we serve. To us, diversity involves a commitment to understand, confront, and seek out differences. We are convinced that a sense of inclusiveness adds depth to our lives, informs our work within the firm and with clients, and allows us to become more engaged as citizens of the larger community. In sum, everyone benefits from a culture that recognizes and respects an inclusive workforce.

With 28 offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Morgan Lewis provides comprehensive transactional, litigation, labor and employment, regulatory, and intellectual property legal services to clients of all sizes—from global Fortune 100 companies to just-conceived startups—across all major industries. The firm’s service philosophy is grounded in a disciplined approach to advancing our clients’ interests as effectively and efficiently as possible.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Kirkland & Ellis is a 1,700-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, corporate and tax, restructuring, and intellectual property matters.

The Firm has offices in Chicago, Beijing, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.

Promoting and nurturing diversity and inclusion is a top priority at McDermott. In our respectful culture people are free to be themselves, thus enhancing our ability to attract and retain exceptional talent, and to bring the best, broadest and most innovative ideas and approaches to client service. We are proud of the many innovative programs and practices that have helped us become a recognized leader in workplace diversity.

Diversity enlivens our workplace. It jostles traditional thinking and brings rich experiences to our clients and communities. At Nixon Peabody, our priority is to attract, retain and promote talented women and men with exceptional ability from a broad range of racial, ethnic, social, economic, religious and personal backgrounds. But diversity alone isn’t enough. We’re creating an open and inclusive environment where we all benefit from our mosaic of differences. While we’re proud of our legacy, we know our actions going forward are the more important story. Through continuous attention to recruitment, training, mentoring and our business practices, we will achieve even greater diversity in the future.

Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 800 attorneys in 19 offices, serving corporations, institutions, and entrepreneurs nationally. Ranked in the top five percent of law firms for client service*, the firm has risen more than 50 spots over the past five years in the Am Law 100 annual law firm ranking. Polsinelli attorneys provide practical legal counsel infused with business insight, and focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, and business litigation. Polsinelli attorneys have depth of experience in 100 service areas and 70 industries.

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Diversity: it’s how inclusion takes shape Greenberg Traurig is honored to support Equality Illinois and its mission to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Illinois.

We are proud to be ranked as one of the top LGBT-friendly law firms doing business in Illinois.

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and our experience. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2016 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Contact: Gregory E. Ostfeld in Chicago at 312.456.8400 No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. ¬Greenberg Traurig’s Berlin office is operated by Greenberg Traurig Germany, an affiliate of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Greenberg Traurig, LLP. *Operates as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. +Operates as Greenberg Traurig, S.C. ∞Operates as Greenberg Traurig LLP Foreign Legal Consultant Office. ^Operates as a branch of Greenberg , P.A., Florida, USA. ¤Greenberg Traurig Tokyo Law Offices are operated by GT Tokyo Horitsu Jimusho, an affiliate of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Greenberg Traurig, LLP. ~Greenberg Traurig’s Warsaw office is operated by Greenberg Traurig Grzesiak sp.k., an affiliate of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Images in this advertisement do not depict Greenberg Traurig attorneys, clients, staff or facilities.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Sedgwick LLP provides trial, appellate, litigation management, counseling, risk management and transactional legal services to the world’s leading companies. Sedgwick’s collective experience spans the globe and virtually every industry. Sedgwick knows that our commitment to providing a welcoming and equal environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender attorneys and support staff adds value to our clients and is simply the right thing to do. Thank you Equality Illinois for this important recognition.

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 12 offices in the United States and Europe, focused on serving clients in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation.

Diversity and inclusion are essential components of our strategic plan and vision statement. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued because of their differences, and strive to create an environment where everyone can belong and thrive.

With over 380 attorneys—more than 100 of whom have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (Copyright 2014 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.)—we have experience in more than 50 areas of the law. We’ve tried the longest jury trial and one of the largest civil suits in American history and closed deals coast-to-coast and around the globe. Supported by our firm's state-of-the-art technology, lawyers in our Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Southern Illinois and Washington, D.C. offices enjoy a nationwide practice.

Franczek Radelet is a premier labor, employment, education and immigration law firm. Our clients include Fortune 100 companies and some of the largest public sector entities in the United States, as well as scores of small-to-medium size businesses and educational institutions. With a roster of 50 attorneys, we provide exceptional value by focusing on a few areas of law and doing them exceedingly well.

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SETTING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

Chapman and Cutler LLP was founded in Chicago in 1913 as a law firm focused on finance. Today the firm represents market participants in all aspects of banking, public finance, corporate finance and securities, and is nationally recognized for developing innovative legal solutions to complex financial transactions. We are engaged in a widely diversified practice, and to meet the needs of our clients, we believe in encouraging the diverse perspectives of our people.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides thoughtful, strategic, practical legal counsel to client companies and legal teams of all sizes. With more than 800 attorneys in the U.S., London, Shanghai, Melbourne and Sydney, we offer a national platform and an international gateway to serve your changing business and legal needs in litigation, employment, corporate, real estate and employee benefits.

Foley provides award-winning business and legal insight to clients across the country and around the world. Our exceptional client service, thoughtleadership, value, and innovative technology are continually recognized by our clients and the legal industry. Foley’s client-focused, industry-specific approach enables us to provide comprehensive, customized, and high-value legal solutions that help meet your needs today—and anticipate your challenges tomorrow.

K&L Gates comprises more than 2,000 lawyers globally who practice in fully integrated offices located on five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.

For more information about K&L Gates or its locations, practices and registrations, visit www.klgates.com.

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All respected.

All valued.

All empowered.

It’s all about inclusion.

Kori S. Carew, Esq. | Director of Strategic Diversity Initiatives | 816.474.6550 | kcarew@shb.com CHICAGO | DENVER | HOUSTON | KANSAS CITY | LONDON | MIAMI | ORANGE COUNTY PHILADELPHIA | SAN FRANCISCO | SEATTLE | TAMPA | WASHINGTON, D.C.

SHB.COM

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

At Morgan Lewis, we believe that differences in perspective, background, and experience are powerful tools for handling complex business and legal matters creatively and effectively.

We are proud to support EQUALITY ILLINOIS in its continuing efforts to lead the way to LGBT equality.

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Baker & McKenzie is proud to support

Equality Illinois We are honored to be recognized as a top Illinois law firm for LGBT diversity and inclusive practices.

EVIDENCE: WHERE LAW FIRMS STAND TODAY Workforce and Workplace practices • For the fifth year in a row, 100% of responding firms have an EEO policy or non-discrimination policy that expressly includes sexual orientation.

• 93% of all responding firms have an EEO policy or nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or gender expression.

• 49% of responding firms have written gender transition guidelines documenting supportive firm policy on issues such as name changes, restroom accommodations, dress codes, and harassment.

• In a growing trend, 47% of responding firms require its vendors or contractors to have a nondiscrimination policy that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression in order to provide staff or engage in business with the firm.

Diversity • 95% of responding firms have a diversity council or workgroup with a mission that includes LGBT issues.

• 86% of responding firms have an officially recognized LGBT affinity group that focuses on LGBT legal issues and clients.

• 95% of responding firms provide diversity awareness or employee training addressing sexual orientation.

• 81% of responding firms provide diversity awareness or employee training addressing gender identity and expression.

• 97% of responding firms actively recruit/hire LGBT lawyers.

• 98% of responding firms support professional development of LGBT attorneys and staff.

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As a law firm that embraces and strives for inclusion, Foley is proud to support Equality Illinois and its commitment to protect and defend the rights of the LGBT community.

We are honored to be recognized for the fifth year in a row as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality, and congratulate our fellow honorees.

For more information about Foley, please contact John L. Litchfield in our Chicago office at jlitchfield@foley.com.

Foley.com

BOSTON • BRUSSELS • CHICAGO • DETROIT • JACKSONVILLE • LOS ANGELES • MADISON • MIAMI • MILWAUKEE • NEW YORK • ORLANDO • SACRAMENTO • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO • SHANGHAI • SILICON VALLEY • TALLAHASSEE • TAMPA • TOKYO • WASHINGTON, D.C. ©2016 Foley & Lardner LLP

EVIDENCE: WHERE LAW FIRMS STAND TODAY Community Outreach • 91% of responding firms provided financial support and/or resources to educational, political, and/or health-related LGBT organizations during the past year.

• 88% of responding firms sponsor LGBT community events • 80% of responding firms specifically market to the LGBT community.

• 90% of responding firms include attorneys with experience handling work on LGBT issues.

Insurance Coverage • 100% of responding firms provide all of the same benefits to employees with same-sex partners.

• For 95% of responding firms, there is no difference in the types of documentation required or accepted for same-sex couples to enroll their spouse or partner to their provided benefits.

• 88% of responding firms automatically recognize an employee’s same-sex spouse or partner, as his or her beneficiary, when he or she fails to designate one.

• 79% of responding firms have at least one company-sponsored plan that does not specifically exclude coverage for transgender, transsexual, or gender identity-related treatments.

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(v.) : to lift or move (something or someone) to a higher position; lift up; elevate : to cause to rise or stand up; rouse : to set in motion; activate Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is proud to be recognized once again as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality.

We strive to raise the bar in creating a workplace community of respect, collaboration and partnership for all.

(Equality Illinois, 2006 - 2016)

ngelaw.com

Diversity at Seyfarth Individual by nature.

Bound by character.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP is a proud supporter of Equality Illinois.

We are honored to be recognized as a top Illinois law firm for LGBT inclusiveness and equality!

www.seyfarth.com

Š2015 Seyfarth Shaw LLP #15-2784

Valuing 'LYHUVH 3HUVSHFWLYHV Diversity enlivens our workplace and brings rich experience to our clients and communities. We are honored to be recognized as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality. Thank you Equality Illinois. We proudly stand with you in our commitment to the LGBT community.

70 West Madison | Chicago, Illinois QL[RQSHDERG\ FRP ÿUPBGLYHUVLW\ _ #1L[RQSHDERG\OOS

TESTIMONIES: WORDS FROM ILLINOIS’ LEADING LAW FIRMS

"At Drinker Biddle, we respect and value our lawyers and staff for who they are, regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender. We consider equal opportunity a fundamental tenet of our firm’s identity and strive to promote a safe and inclusive workplace through investment in recruiting, professional development, peer groups and mentoring programs. We are grateful to Equality Illinois for again recognizing our efforts."

- Ed Getz, Regional Partner in Charge, Chicago Office “Michael Best & Friedrich knows that different perspectives, voices and worldviews are critical to our firm’s success. Our inclusive environment allows for a variety of opinions that help us better serve our clients’ interests. We are committed to promoting and sustaining a diverse, inclusive environment within our offices because of the positive impact it has on firm culture, employee satisfaction and client service. In addition, it simply is the right thing to do.”

- Kerryann Haase Minton, Managing Partner, Chicago Office “Fostering an inclusive environment for all of our lawyers and staff members is critical to our success as a global law firm.

Attracting, hiring and retaining LGBT colleagues who feel engaged and supported at the firm is an important aspect of our commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I). Our D&I efforts help create a community at Skadden that is built on the idea that similarities and differences are a source of our strength and excellence.”

- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP “We remain steadfast in our commitment to diversity and inclusion and are proud to be recognized again by Equality Illinois as one of the top LGBT-friendly law firms in Illinois…

We recognize that while there has been much progress on LGBT rights in the workplace and the community-at-large, there is still much work to be done. Our firm is committed to continuing to lead in this area.”

- Terrence J. Truax, Jenner & Block’s Managing Partner

“McGuireWoods’ commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to our mission of delivering the best service to our clients. We believe that commitment also serves the legal profession and our communities. Our work is strengthened by different points of view and experiences — a 360-degree perspective that can be achieved only through teams of diverse people. That’s why McGuireWoods proudly supports initiatives like our LGBT Lawyers Network that promote a culture of inclusiveness and equality. We’re honored that Equality Illinois has once again recognized those efforts.”

-Christina Egan, Chicago Office Managing Partner "Goldberg Kohn believes that to succeed in the long term, the principal motivation behind a diversity initiative must be a focus on creating a vibrant culture in which all attorneys can thrive. The firm is committed to building an environment that contributes in important ways to all facets of community life and reflects the diversity of Chicago."

-Oscar Alcantara, Principal in Litigation Group and Chair of the Goldberg Kohn Diversity Committee “Baker & McKenzie is honored to receive this important recognition from Equality Illinois. It underscores our continued commitment to advancing equality for LGBT individuals. We are proud to share the recognition with so many of our peers in the legal industry, reflecting our shared belief that an inclusive and diverse workplace strengthens our organizations and the services we provide our clients.”

-Rick Hammett, North American Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie

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TESTIMONIES: WORDS FROM ILLINOIS’ LEADING LAW FIRMS

"Dentons and its predecessor firms have prided themselves for years on creating an atmosphere of inclusion that celebrates differences and emphasizes the importance of individuality and individual thought. In that regard, we have long been at the forefront of acknowledging and supporting LGBT initiatives across the firm and encouraging lawyers, other professionals and staff in supporting those initiatives."

-Steven Velkei, Partner and US Diversity and Inclusion Chair "Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is part of who we are as an client service focused law firm…Being recognized consistently throughout the years by Equality Illinois, confirms that we are successfully fulfilling our mission to support the LGBT community. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts."

- George Marek, Partner and Co-Chair D&I Committee, Quarles & Brady “Arnstein & Lehr LLP’s diverse team of attorneys and staff engenders unique and varied perspectives that best serve our clientele and the community at large. Like Equality Illinois, we stand firmly for the principles of equality and justice for all, and are proud to serve and be a part of the LGBT community.”

-Robert T. Cichocki, Partner, Arnstein & Lehr LLP “In less than 20 years, SmithAmundsen has grown from a small litigation firm to a firm of more than 160 corporate and litigation attorneys practicing in seven communities across the Midwest. We credit this success to our true commitment to recruiting, mentoring and empowering individuals who bring differing perspectives and experiences to our firm. We are honored to receive this distinction from Equality Illinois and wholeheartedly plan to continue in our efforts to promote diversity in the legal profession.”

-Glen Amundsen

“We are honored to be named by Equality Illinois as one of the leading law firms doing business in Illinois. Our leadership role includes expanding our domestic partner benefits to provide a tax gross-up payment for employees in same-sex partnerships as well as transgender-inclusive benefits. We thank our attorneys, clients, and friends in the business community who always inspire, encourage, and motivate us to continue the hard work in finding solutions to challenging diversity issues.”

- Tom Lane, Partner and LGBT Affinity Group Leader; Amanda C. Sommerfeld, Partner and Chair, Diversity Committee, Winston & Strawn "We recognize that utilizing the talents of people with a wide range of characteristics, backgrounds and experiences positively impacts every aspect of our firm - first and foremost, our ability to deliver quality legal and professional services to our clients. We emphasize diversity and inclusion in our strategic plan because we understand that a diverse workplace is critical to the firm's ongoing success."

-Ray Koenig, Member in Charge, Clark Hill Chicago office “At Nixon Peabody, we tap the collective intelligence of our diverse workforce to deliver the best thinking and create value for our clients throughout the world. We’re actively pursuing ideas that challenge the status quo to create and maintain a firm where the best professionals from a broad range of backgrounds feel welcome. Our goal is to lead with actions that inspire other law firms and businesses to embrace and nurture their own inclusive work environments, making the business community more successful for all.”

-Andrew Glincher, Managing Partner & CEO

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Winston & Strawn is honored to be selected by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality

winston.com

TESTIMONIES: WORDS FROM ILLINOIS’ LEADING LAW FIRMS

“Holland & Knight is proud of its long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. It is a fundamental firm belief that diversity enhances our firm, our ability to serve our clients and the communities we live in.”

- Grant McCorkhill, Partner, Holland & Knight “At DLA Piper, we are committed to developing a culture that is inclusive of all, where individual diversity is valued and everyone has the opportunity to succeed. This, of course, includes our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues and straight allies. This commitment to diversity and inclusion is key to our success as a firm and it defines who we are.”

- Genhi Givings Bailey, Director of Diversity & Inclusion "We have always worked to ensure Katten promotes and respects inclusion and diversity in the workplace and we are committed to implementing programs and benefits to reflect that."

- Roger P. Furey, Chairman, Katten Muchin Rosenman “Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is proud to once again be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBTQ inclusiveness and equality. As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, I am proud that we continue to focus on maintaining a culture of equality and inclusion to support our LGBTQ attorneys and staff and to promote creativity, opportunity and professional development throughout the firm to better serve our clients.”

- Scott J. Fisher, Managing Partner

“Even after a historic 2015 for the LGBT rights movement, 2016 reminds us that there is still much work to be done. I am proud that Schiff Hardin does not shrink from this challenge, but instead maintains its steadfast focus on creating an inclusive, supportive, and diverse workplace for LGBT lawyers and staff.”

- Clay Tillack, chair of the LGBT Diversity Subcommittee at Schiff Hardin “Reed Smith is proud to be recognized by Equality Illinois for our leading practices on LGBT inclusion. Building an inclusive workplace and embracing diverse perspectives is a core value that positively impacts our colleagues and clients," - Paul Turner, Partner and Chair of Reed Smith's LGBT Subcommittee of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee “We are honored to once again be named among the top Illinois firms for LBGT diversity and inclusive practices. Since our inception, we have built an inclusive environment where individuals are encouraged to be authentic and are celebrated for who they are. This recognition is a true reflection of what we value – diversity, equality, and inclusion.”

- Greg Ostfeld, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP “Diversity and inclusiveness are now among the many standards of excellence in the legal profession. Kaye Scholer is proud of its recognized commitment to fostering a law firm culture where all talent is welcomed and has an equal opportunity to succeed.”

- Michael Solow, Managing Partner & Executive Committee Co-Chair, Kaye Scholer LLP

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dlapiperdiversity.com

PAINTING A BRIGHTER FUTURE. DLA Piper believes that a more diverse and inclusive legal profession means a better future for us all.

Through our retention and advancement programs and with a flexible approach to work-life integration, we strive to provide our lawyers with opportunities to excel.

Holland & Knight is proud to support Equality Illinois and participate in its 2016 Raising the Bar Breakfast.

Our firm fully supports the organization’s mission to secure, protect and defend equal rights of the LGBTQ community.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, visit us online at www.hklaw.com/Diversity.

Raja Gaddipati and Ferlillia V. Roberson, 203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601 | DLA Piper LLP (US) is part of DLA Piper, a global law firm, operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com. | Attorney Advertising

www.hklaw.com Grant McCorkhill | Chicago, IL | 312.263.3600 Copyright © 2016 Holland & Knight LLP All Rights Reserved

Fairness & Inclusion Fairness & Inclusion

Jason L. Santos

EQIL Board Member

Cecilia A. Horan

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Todd M. Young

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TESTIMONIES: WORDS FROM ILLINOIS’ LEADING LAW FIRMS

“Latham & Watkins has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, and we are thrilled to once again be recognized by Equality Illinois. This commitment enables us to offer clients the most innovative legal solutions and to recruit the best lawyers in the world, and it’s part of the very fabric of our firm’s culture.”

- Brad Kotler, Chicago, Managing Partner

“Hinshaw is honored and delighted to be recognized again by Equality Illinois. At Hinshaw we keep our goals of equality and inclusion in mind as we make decisions in all aspects of law firm life. We are proud to support Equality Illinois as they continue their fight to end all types of discrimination against LGBT individuals.”

- Todd Young, Head/Chair of Hinshaw’s LGBT Affinity Network

“We strive to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive firm environment in which different perspectives are valued.

Marshall Gerstein promotes equal treatment of LGBT lawyers and staff through internal initiatives and by supporting the LGBT legal community at large.”

- Sharon M. Sintich, Ph.D., Partner, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee

"Morgan Lewis is dedicated to maintaining LGBT equality in all facets of the community through our policies, practices, and benefits. Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which works to promote diversity and inclusion initiatives across the firm, is just one example of how we draw on a variety of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds to maintain an equal workplace."

- Scott Schutte, Chicago Office Managing Partner

“Sidley is pleased to once again be recognized by Equality Illinois for our strong support of LGBT rights and our own LGBT lawyers. We take great pride in the best practices we have in place to support our LGBT lawyers and ensure that Sidley is a firm where they can advance their legal careers.”

- Pran Jha, Sidley Partner and Chair of Sidley’s Chicago Diversity Committee “We are honored to be among the top law firms recognized

by Equality Illinois. At Perkins Coie, demonstrating our commitment to the LGBT community is a firmwide effort. We are proud of the work we have done and of this prestigious accolade.”

- J. David Larsen, Partner “At Chapman, workplace equality is a core value we live by, both in and out of the office. Our dedication to diversity and inclusion enhances our ability to serve our clients and provides a strong platform for growth and advancement among the attorneys and support professionals within our firm."

- Tim Mohan, Chief Executive Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP

“Each year Kirkland continues to create new opportunities and programs for our diverse attorneys. Our commitment to diversity includes creating an environment where LGBT attorneys can thrive.”

- Russell King, Partner “McDermott is deeply committed to building on the tremendous progress that LGBT Americans have made in the fight for full equality and acceptance. Through pro bono advocacy, community service and outreach, charitable contributions and fair and inclusive workplace policies, we continue to focus on eradicating discrimination for the benefit of our firm, our clients, and our communities.”

- Michael W. Weaver, Partner-in-Charge for LGBT Diversity and Inclusion

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Chapman is proud to support Equality Illinois in its mission of advancing equal treatment and social justice for the LGBT community.

We are honored to be recognized BT POF PG UIF UPQ MBX mSNT MFBEJOH the way to equality in Illinois.

Attorney advertising material.

Chicago New York Salt Lake City San Francisco Washington, DC

PROUD SUPPORTER As a firm committed to innovation and inclusion, we believe the diversity of our people has the power to change the profession. We are honored to receive this award and commend Equality Illinois for their continued dedication to equal rights for the LGBT community.

K&L Gates LLP. Global legal counsel across five continents. Learn more at klgates.com.

TESTIMONIES: WORDS FROM ILLINOIS’ LEADING LAW FIRMS

“While Polsinelli recognizes it has made considerable progress towards advancing diversity and inclusion within the firm and the legal community it serves, it also recognizes that there is more that can be done. For this reason, Polsinelli will continue to look for new and innovative ways it can further foster maintenance of a firm environment where all can reach their full potential, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or any of the other characteristics that add value and perspective to the work done on behalf of firm clients.”

- Tony Nasharr, Chicago Office Managing Partner "I am proud to work at Sedgwick and very proud that we are receiving our fifth consecutive award from Equality Illinois for our dedication to appreciating and encouraging LGBT employees. Sedgwick provides a supportive social and professional community for LGBT individuals within the firm, which enhances an inclusive environment that benefits employees and the work we do."

- Jim Holmes, co-chair of Sedgwick’s LGBT Action Committee “We believe advancing diversity and improving inclusion must be an intentional practice. Diversity and Inclusion make us better. While we appreciate this validation from Equality Illinois that we are on the right track , we will continue our focus on LGBT inclusiveness and providing a welcoming and fair workplace for all.”

-John Murphy, Chair, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.

“Diversity at Franczek Radelet means inclusion of employees of different race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, cultural and ethnic background, ability, nationality and other unique attributes that do not interfere with effective job performance and superior client service. We are proud that this commitment includes fostering an environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees have the opportunity to thrive, and we fully support those who wish to self-identify.”

- Michael J. Hernandez, Franczek Radelet’s Diversity Officer “At K&L Gates, we are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages respect, cooperation and teamwork among all members of the K&L Gates community. We are proud of the work we have done and the supportive environment we have created and strive to maintain.”

- Michael Martinez, Chicago Administrative Partner, Chicago Office Diversity Committee Chair “Foley and Lardner, LLP values the unique backgrounds and perspectives of all of our attorneys and staff. With strong leadership support, we strive to continue to reach further and higher on behalf of our many talented diverse firm members and make deep contributions within the communities in which we work. I am proud to be part of an organization that recognizes and actively promotes the importance of diversity and inclusion.”

–Eileen Ridley, Chief Diversity Partner

“Having policies inclusive of the LGBT community is not only the right thing to do; it’s in the best interest of our firm, because diversity and inclusion matter to our clients across the country. We have vocally supported laws that extend basic workplace protections to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and will continue to do so in the future.”

- Tom Minogue, Chairman, Thompson Coburn

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Jenner & Block salutes Equality Illinois for securing, protecting and defending equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois.

Thank you for recognizing our firm’s sustained commitment and efforts to foster and maintain LGBT workplace equality.

SEE MORE AT JENNER.COM

CHICAGO | LONDON | LOS ANGELES | NEW YORK | WASHINGTON, DC 353 N. CLARK STREET CHICAGO, IL 60654-3456 | 312 222-9350

Supporting our community

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Reed Smith is proud to support Equality Illinois and is honored to be recognized as RQH RI WKH WRS ΖOOLQRLV ODZ ȴUPV for LGBT inclusiveness and equality.

SHANGHAI SILICON VALLEY SINGAPORE TYSONS WASHINGTON, D.C. WILMINGTON

reedsmith.com

WHY ALL FIRMS SHOULD PURSUE WORKPLACE EQUALITY

Adapting best practices decreases the risk of legal liability and litigation. And the benefits do not stop there:

BETTER PERFORMANCE & INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS. Exceeding minimum legal requirements and creating an affirmatively welcoming workplace that respects diversity leads to increased business performance. DiversityInc selects the 50 employers with best diversity practices each year and tracks their stock performance. The DiversityInc Top 50 list consistently outperforms the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 on a one-, three-, and five-year basis.

MORE IDEAS LEAD TO IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY. Having a strong stance of inclusion and incorporating it into your practices demonstrates to your employees that you are serious about retaining top talent. Embracing the value in diverse backgrounds brings different approaches to leadership and problem solving and increases the span of ideas brought forth to the table. When employees feel comfortable and supported, employee productivity increases.

CONSUMER LOYALTY. An overwhelming number of LGBT consumers tend to be loyal to organizations that they know are friendly to the LGBT community, even if less friendly organizations are cheaper or more convenient. 81 percent of LGBT Americans are likely to consider brands that support non-profits or causes important to them, while 88 percent of lesbian and gay adults and 70 percent of heterosexuals are likely to consider a brand that is known to provide equal workplace benefits for all of their employees, including lesbians and gays. According to Community Marketing, Inc., 3 out of 4 LGBT individuals have changed brands when a company has exhibited pro-LGBT support.

CONSUMER DEMAND. Numerous polls consistently show that 55 percent of Illinoisans support marriage equality for same-sex couples.

A recent Pew poll found that 9 out of 10 say they know someone who is gay or lesbian. This shift in consumer attitude means that businesses that do not affirmatively create a supportive environment for their LGBT employees are seen as out-of-touch and less relevant. Doing the right thing has never been so easy.

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McGuireWoods LLP is committed to equality and the value of different backgrounds and perspectives.

Our focus on inclusion ensures we deliver innovative solutions and service to our clients.

77 West Wacker Drive | Suite 4100 | Chicago, IL 60601

1,000 Lawyers | 23 Offices | www.mcguirewoods.com

D IV E R S ITY A KEY INGREDIENT At Perkins Coie, we believe diversity is essential to providing the best solutions to our clients. It is a key ingredient to our success.

Perkins Coie is honored to be recognized as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality. We strongly support the continuing eorts of Equality Illinois to achieve equality through impact litigation, education and public policy initiatives.

PerkinsCoie.com/Diversity

Perkins Coie LLP Attorney Advertising

DUE DILIGENCE: Ten Habits of Highly-Scoring Firms And easy steps every business can take now to be LGBT-friendly...

1 Implement a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression 2 Publicize your non-discrimination policy to law students, prospective and current employees, clients, and the public 3 Recruit LGBT employees by attending LGBT conferences and diversity fairs and by reaching out to LGBT organizations, such as the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC) 4 Promote an LGBT-friendly office culture by using appropriate language (for example, including “partners” along with “spouses” on firm event invitations) and supporting an LGBT affinity group 5 Include LGBT issues in your mandatory diversity trainings 6 Respect transgender and gender-transitioning employees by using appropriate names and personal pronouns and having a genderneutral dress code 7 Collaborate with LGBT organizations on community events 8 Encourage professional development by paying membership fees for LGBT legal associations and providing LGBT-friendly mentors 9 Hire and/or train attorneys who are experienced in handling LGBT issues such as LGBT adoption/custody or gender transition-related legal issues 10 Require your vendors or contractors to have a non-discrimination policy that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression in order to provide staff or engage in business with the firm RAISING THE BAR

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NOTES:

Arnstein & Lehr LLP considers the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace as one of its fundamental missions.

We support Equality Illinois in its mission to secure, protect and defend equal rights for LGBT people and are honored to be one of the top firms in Illinois â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raising the Bar!â&#x20AC;?

120 South Riverside Plaza | Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 876-7100 www.arnstein.com/about/diversity

Now in our 25th year, Equality Illinois builds a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy and protection of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

17 North State Street, Suite 1020 Chicago, IL 60602 773.477.7173 info@eqil.org www.equalityillinois.org