Equality Illinois Raising the Bar 2013 by Equality Illinois

2013

RAISING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY

As a firm with a strong commitment to equality and diversity, Baird is proud to recognize law firms that

“raise the bar” in the

LGBT community every day. From left: Awuori Mutsune, Dustin Hutter, Michael Collins, Beth Howell, Rodney Tyson and Michael McNeil Executive Committee of Spectrum, Baird’s LGBT Associate Resource Group

In 2013, Baird accomplished the following: • The “most trusted” equity research provider by small-cap and mid-cap institutional fund managers for the tenth consecutive year1 • No. 14 in the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®, our fifth consecutive year among the top 25 • No. 6 in Crain’s Chicago Business’ Best Places to Work, our fourth consecutive recognition • Scored 90 out of 100 possible points in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index To learn more about partnering with Baird to host a CLE event, please contact Michael Collins, ADPASM.

• One of 12 Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisors in the state of Illinois • Co-chair of Spectrum, the LGBT Associate Resource Group at Baird • Board of Directors, Equality Illinois Education Project • Capitol Club Member, Equality Illinois • Member of Baird’s Business Diversity Council

Michael Collins, ADPASM 312-609-4967 mcollins@rwbaird.com mjcollins.com Capital Markets – Investment Banking

Private Equity

Asset Management

Greenwich Associates U.S. Equity Investors – Small/Mid-cap Funds, 2004–2013. Surveys conducted with U.S. small-cap and mid-cap fund managers. 2013 Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member SIPC. MC-39152.

Sharing monumental progress together. Pivotal change is now upon us. Having long held a commitment to LGBT equality, we thank you for acknowledging our dedication to fostering inclusiveness in our law firm’s culture.

We look forward to witnessing the next monumental moment in the workforce and beyond.

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

www.sidley.com BEIJING · BOSTON · BRUSSELS · CHICAGO · DALLAS · FRANKFURT · GENEVA · HONG KONG · HOUSTON · LONDON LOS ANGELES · NEW YORK · PALO ALTO · SAN FRANCISCO · SHANGHAI · SINGAPORE · SYDNEY · TOKYO · WASHINGTON, D.C.

For purposes of compliance with New York State Bar rules, our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 1.212.839.5300 and One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, 1.312.853.7000.

EQUALITY ILLINOIS

RAISING THE BAR LAW FIRMS LEADING THE WAY TO LGBT EQUALITY 2013 RECOGNITION PROCESS

RAISING THE BAR

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 eighth 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 eleven states in which sexual orientation and gender identity are protected classes in the workplace. In addition, the civil union law and 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 2013 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 2013 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 Law Firm 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 2013 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey!

RAISING THE BAR

It takes no compromise to give people their rights…It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression. — Harvey Milk

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.

RAISING THE BAR: The Proc es s

At Johnson & Sullivan, Ltd. we are dedicated to providing personalized, thorough, and responsive legal representation. Mario counsels clients on a wide range of issues relating to real estate, landlord/tenant, creditor bankruptcy, employment, contract law, business formation, and estate planning. Our attorneys, Peter A. Johnson and Mario A. Sullivan have years of experience crafting practical and efficient solutions for individuals and businesses, including a particular emphasis on real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial and residential leasing, evictions and other landlord-tenant matters, mechanic's lien foreclosures, and real estate-related litigation. 11 E. HUBBARD ST., SUITE 702 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611 TELEPHONE (312) 932 9200 FACSIMILE (312) 932 9229

Visit us at www.johonsonsullivan.com

An uncommon commitment to diversity.

This spring, Equality Illinois mailed the 2013 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey to the 150 largest firms 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. We applaud the firms leading the way 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.

McDermott Will & Emery is honored to be recognized once again as a top Illinois law firm for LGBT equality and inclusion. We are proud to partner with Equality Illinois and will continue to support the work of this important community organization to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout the state.

www.mwe.com Boston Brussels Chicago D端sseldorf Frankfurt Houston London Los Angeles Miami Milan Munich New York Orange County Paris Rome Seoul Silicon Valley Washington, D.C. Strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices (Shanghai) McDermott Will & Emery conducts its practice through separate legal entities in each of the countries where it has offices. This communication may be considered attorney advertising. Previous results are not a guarantee of future outcome.

RAISING THE BAR

Baker & McKenzie is proud to support Equality Illinois and its mission to protect equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois.

SETTING THE BAR: Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Founded in 1892, Aronberg Goldgehn is one of the oldest law firms in Chicago providing representation to businesses, families and individuals in practice areas such as Banking, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Taxation, Estate Planning, Business Formation and Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Insurance, and Family Law. Aronberg Goldgehn embraces a personal approach to the practice of law. The firm’s attorneys take time to get to know clients personally, tailoring service to specific needs of each case.

Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Subsidiaries Bryan Cave International Trade and Bryan Cave Strategies provide trade and customs consultancy and government relations and strategic counsel, respectively. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave’s more than 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 26 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients’ needs in the world’s leading business and financial market.

Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie advises many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organizations through more than 4,000 locally qualified lawyers and over 5,800 professional staff in 74 offices in 46 countries. Baker & McKenzie is known for having a deep understanding of the language and culture of business, an uncompromising commitment to excellence, and world-class fluency in its client service. RAISING THE BAR

| 13

RAISING THE BAR Butler Rubin proudly supports the vision of Equality Illinois for a fair and unified Illinois where everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect, and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

BUTLER RUBIN SALTARELLI & BOYD LLP 70 WEST MADISON STREET | SUITE 1800 | CHICAGO, IL 60602 312.444.9660 | WWW.BUTLERRUBIN.COM

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Since 1980, Butler Rubinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse partnership, professional and administrative staff have assisted clients nationally and internationally in our core practice areas of reinsurance and commercial litigation. Excellence in serving our clients means we have a strong commitment to a welcoming and affirming environment for all our people, especially lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. For more information about our firm and our commitment to law firm best practices, visit www.butlerrubin.com.

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, and 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 harnessing the diverse perspectives of our people.

Dentons is a global firm driven to provide a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected marketplace. It was formed in March 2013 by the combination of international law firm Salans LLP, Canadian law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) and international law firm SNR Denton. Dentons is built on the solid foundations of these three highly valued law firms. Each built an outstanding reputation and valued clientele by responding to the local, regional and national needs of a broad spectrum of clients of all sizes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; individuals; entrepreneurs; small businesses and start-ups; local, regional and national governments and government agencies; and mid-sized and larger private and public corporations, including international and global entities. Dentonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clients now benefit from more than 2,500 lawyers and professionals in 79 locations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, the UK and the US who are committed to challenge the status quo and offer creative, actionable business and legal solutions.

RAISING THE BAR

| 15

“There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.” – Tammy Baldwin

Chapman and Cutler is proud to support Equality Illinois as they continue to help make LGBT equality simply the way things are.

Chicago New York Salt Lake City San Francisco Washington, DC

Attorney Advertising Material.

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

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.

Dykema is a national law firm focused on serving business clients. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 13 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients – from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies – to deliver practical, results-oriented counsel that’s comprehensive and cost-effective. Unparalleled client service is at the heart of our approach to the practice of law, a cornerstone of our success for more than 85 years. To learn more, visit www.dykema.com and follow Dykema on Twitter http://twitter.com/Dykema.

With 650 lawyers in 11 offices nationwide, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP provides clients with unparalleled client service in matters ranging from billion-dollar deals to complex class actions, across a broad spectrum of industries.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP is a 125-year-old full-service, business-minded, Am Law 100 firm. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts is an integral part of our business model and continues to be a natural extension of our abiding interest in ensuring that the two of them operate in tandem. Our efforts create a more vibrant firm of diverse perspectives and contributes to our ability to provide clients with the highest quality of legal services. Learn more about our efforts at diversity.edwardswildman.com. RAISING THE BAR

| 17

Dentons proudly supports

Equality Illinois and its mission of fostering an inclusive society. In a landmark year for LGBT rights, we remain committed to promoting openness and equality on our team and beyond. Meet Dentons. The new global law firm created by Salans, FMC and SNR Denton. Know the way dentons.com ÂŠ 2013 Dentons. Dentons is an international legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. Attorney Advertising. Please see dentons.com for Legal Notices.

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd. is a civil rights and criminal defense firm dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality legal representation available. Whether in state or federal court, the very essence of our practice, in both criminal defense and police misconduct prosecution, is the constant and aggressive fight for equal protection under the law and equal access to justice. We have a proven record of success and our skill and dedication are unmatched.

Foley provides award-winning business and legal insight to clients across the country and around the world. Our exceptional client service, thought-leadership, 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 you meet your needs today — and anticipate your challenges tomorrow.

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.

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. RAISING THE BAR

| 19

BUILDING BRIDGES TO A BETTER TOMORROW DLA Piper salutes Equality Illinois and its work bridging the gap in equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois. Your efforts are helping to make Illinois a more unified and inclusive community.

www.dlapiper.com

Stuart M. Berkson, 203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601

DLA Piper LLP (US) | Attorney Advertising

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a full-service law firm that is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting its 475 attorneys and staff in 23 offices nationwide, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Embracing inclusion is central to Hinshaw’s culture as is maintaining these commitments to both our firm and the communities in which we serve.

Jenner & Block is a national law firm with 480 attorneys and offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. Annually recognized in Equality Illinois’ Law Firm Survey, the firm has a longstanding tradition of supporting LGBT civil rights and handling LGBT civil liberties cases, including the landmark Lawrence v. Texas case with Lambda Legal. The firm has received a 100% rating on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index for eight years.

Holland & Knight is a global law firm with 1,000 lawyers in 18 U.S. offices as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Bogotá. The firm is among the nation’s largest law firms, providing 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.www.hklaw.com.

At the Johnson & Sullivan, Ltd. we remain dedicated to providing personalized, thorough, and responsive legal representation. Our attorneys have years of experience crafting practical and efficient solutions for individuals and businesses, including a particular emphasis on real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial and residential leasing, evictions and other landlord-tenant matters, mechanic’s lien foreclosures, and real estate-related litigation. Visit us at www.johonsonsullivan.com. RAISING THE BAR

| 21

Who We Are. At Drinker Biddle, our commitment to diversity reflects our belief that by more accurately reflecting our clients and our communities, we are more effectively positioned to understand their needs and objectives, in all their many facets.

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.

WISCONSIN

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Katten is a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal service globally. Our more than 600 attorneys located across the US and in London and Shanghai serve public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. Katten’s core practices include real estate, financial services, corporate, litigation, insolvency and restructuring, environmental and trusts and estates.

Latham has been a leader in developing, promoting and implementing processes that ensure lawyers, paralegals and professional staff are hired, trained and promoted fairly, consistent with our goals of equal opportunity and diversity in the practice of law. Lawyers of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations have long been represented on the firm’s management committees responsible for promotions to partnership, recruiting and training (among other management responsibilities). Our commitment to equal opportunity enables Latham to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to recruit and retain the best lawyers, professional staff and paralegals to create one of the world’s leading law firms.

Kirkland & Ellis is a 1,600-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation and dispute resolution/arbitration, corporate and tax, restructuring, and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.

Mayer Brown is a leading global law firm advising clients across the Americas, Europe and Asia 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.

RAISING THE BAR

| 23

“Equality is not a concept. It’s a necessity.”

Dykema proudly embraces diversity. It’s a vital component of our corporate DNA. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that all—regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion or disability—are welcomed and valued. A culture based on dignity and respect enables us, and our clients, to explore issues from a variety of viewpoints, and to learn from one another in ways a less diverse workforce might never discover. To learn more about Dykema and its diversity initiatives, we invite you to contact Sherrie Farrell, Diversity Committee Chair, at sfarrell@dykema.com.

Exceptional service. Dykema delivers.

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

McDermott is committed to a culture that values and nurtures diversity and inclusion. Our culture enhances our ability to attract and retain exceptional talent to best serve our clients. It also helps us bring the best, broadest and most innovative ideas and approaches to client service. Our many innovative programs and practices have helped us become a recognized leader in workplace diversity.

McGuireWoods LLP provides legal services to public, private, government and nonprofit clients. We have 900 lawyers in 19 offices, crossing borders, practices and industries in 128 countries. We were named to BTI Consulting Group’s 2013 “Brand Elite 18,” in their survey of corporate counsel, which examined innovation, value of service and brand strength. We have been recognized for diversity and inclusion by many, including Multicultural Law, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Working Mother and Equality Illinois.

Building a diverse team of attorneys is a core value at Morgan Lewis, and is part of our strategic focus. Morgan Lewis is committed – through our actions and by working with our clients and others in the profession – to continue to drive our diversity and inclusion efforts. When we provide teams of lawyers to support our clients’ legal needs, diversity is just as essential a consideration as industry knowledge, cost-effective staffing, and personal chemistry.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is a Chicago-based law firm whose lawyers share a culture of teamwork and devotion to personalized client service to advance clients’ business interests throughout the U.S. and beyond. Our lawyers provide legal business solutions to public and private entities of all types in connection with domestic and global business transactions and litigation. Our client base reflects a number of Fortune 100 companies, financial institutions, nonprofits and high net worth individuals.

RAISING THE BAR

| 25

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Nixon Peabody LLP is a full-service law firm that helps clients navigate complex challenges in litigation, real estate, corporate law, and finance. With more than 600 attorneys throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the firm has the ability to handle matters anywhere in the world, ensuring that clients get the right attorneys, right where they need them. Our focus is on listening to our clients and working collaboratively to help them achieve their business objectives.

Quarles & Brady LLP provides broad-based legal services through offices in Chicago, Illinois; Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Naples and Tampa, Florida; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Shanghai, China; and Washington, D.C. We bring a common-sense, solution-oriented approach to our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; complicated problems. Our clients include major national and multinational corporations, educational and research institutions, municipalities and government agencies, charitable organizations, industry executives and high-net-worth individuals. Quarles & Brady is more than just a law practice. We support our local and professional communities, offering leadership and volunteer services at every level. Through pro bono legal counsel to the indigent, helping to mentor children, putting our commitment to diversity into practice and developing educational programs for industry groups, we give back to our communities and clients.

With more than 900 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia, Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm and represents thousands of great companies across all industries and stages of growth--from start-ups to FORTUNE 50 public companies. Perkins Coieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100-year tradition of partnering with our clients to build great companies has earned our firm the privilege of representing industry-leading clients such as Amazon.com, Microsoft, Boeing, Intel, Google, Starbucks and Honeywell, to name just a few. RAISING THE BAR

| 27

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm focused on client service and relationships. With more than 1700 lawyers, and 25 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.

Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm founded in Chicago in 1864. It was among the first major law firms in the United States to provide employee benefits to same-sex partners of employees. Schiff Hardin annually receives numerous awards for its LGBT policies and programs, including community outreach and LGBT recruitment, retention, and advancement. Schiff Hardin also has offices in Lake Forest, New York City, Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, San Francisco, and Ann Arbor.

Schopf & Weiss is a Chicago-based firm with a national practice. We represent businesses and business people in complex legal disputes. We’ve earned our reputation by delivering outstanding results - results that meet our client’s needs. We have drive, judgment, and creativity. We are tireless advocates and tough negotiators. We are accessible, responsive and proactive. We think about exit strategy from the start and provide clients with our best assessment of where the case is and where it is going. We are in the litigation business; we are mindful that our clients are not.

Sedgwick LLP is an international litigation and business law firm that provides counseling, risk management, litigation management, trial, appellate and transactional legal services to sophisticated corporate clients. Founded in 1933 as a three-person firm in San Francisco, Sedgwick now has more than 370 attorneys in offices around the world. Sedgwick’s collective experience spans the globe and virtually every industry. RAISING THE BAR

| 28

As a law firm that embraces and strives for diversity, Foley is proud to support Equality Illinois and its commitment to serving the LGBT community. We are proud to be ranked 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 Litchfield at jlitchfield@foley.com.

Foley.com

BOSTON • BRUSSELS • CHICAGO • DETROIT • JACKSONVILLE • LOS ANGELES • MADISON • MIAMI • MILWAUKEE • NEW YORK • ORLANDO • SACRAMENTO • SAN DIEGO • SAN DIEGO/DEL MAR • SAN FRANCISCO • SHANGHAI • SILICON VALLEY • TALLAHASSEE • TAMPA • TOKYO • WASHINGTON, D.C. ©2013 Foley & Lardner LLP

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

At Seyfarth Shaw, we offer a broad national platform to serve our clients’ changing business and legal needs. With over 800 attorneys across the U.S., London, Shanghai and Melbourne, the firm provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of commercial litigation, corporate, employee benefits, labor & employment, and real estate. Seyfarth Shaw is deeply committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion. We are dedicated to being a firm of choice for lawyers, employees, and clients who value diversity.

Serving clients in every major international financial center, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and affiliates is one of the leading law firms in the world. Our diversified practice enables us to offer solutions to our clients’ most challenging legal issues in virtually every area of corporate law. Skadden received a perfect score for the fourth time in five years in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”

Sidley Austin LLP is a premier law firm with a practice highly attuned to the international landscape. The firm has built a reputation for being a powerful legal adviser for global business, with approximately 1,700 lawyers in 19 offices worldwide. Sidley maintains a commitment to providing quality legal services and to offering advice in litigation, transactional and regulatory matters spanning virtually every area of law.

RAISING THE BAR

| 30

is honored to be selected by

Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms 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.

SETTING THE BAR: CONTINUED

Law Firms Leading the Way to LGBT Equality

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 see 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 As evidence of our diversity commitment, the Firm has earned a variety of honors, including a 100% rating for the past five years from the Human Rights Campaign, which measures employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fair treatment of their LGBT employees and people with whom they do business. We are also pleased to be a leader among law firms in expanding our domestic partner benefits to provide a tax gross-up payment for employees in same-sex partnerships as well as transgender-inclusive benefits.

RAISING THE BAR

|32

is honored to be recognized by

Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms leading the way to LGBT equality Goldberg Kohn is focused on creating a vibrant culture in which attorneys of all backgrounds can thrive

WWW.GOLDBERGKOHN.COM

EVIDENCE: Where Law Firms Stand

PERSONNEL • For the second year in a row, 100% of responding firms have an EEO policy or non-discrimination policy that expressly includes sexual orientation. • 92% of responding firms have an EEO policy or non-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or gender expression. • 47% of responding firms have gender transition guidelines, a recently-recognized policy need, representing a 20% increase from previous years. • 50% of responding firms offer “gross-up” benefits, compensating employees with same-sex partners for adverse treatment by federal tax laws.

INSURANCE COVERAGE • 76% of responding firms offer an insurance plan that covers treatment for gender identity related treatments, a recently recognized insurance benefit need, up from 74% last year and 40% in 2011.

DIVERSITY • 86% of responding firms have a diversity council or workgroup with a mission that includes LGBT issues. •

76% of responding firms actively recruit/hire LGBT lawyers.

• 82% of responding firms offer diversity training that includes sexual orientation and/or gender identity. • 71% of responding firms have an LGBT affinity group that focuses on LGBT legal issues and clients.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH •

84% of responding firms financially support LGBT organizations.

•

84% of responding firms sponsor LGBT community events.

•

74% of responding firms specifically market to the LGBT community.

•

84% of responding firms do pro bono work on LGBT issues.

RAISING THE BAR

| 34

Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Workplace equality. An inclusive culture. A diverse workforce. These are guiding principles at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. With 475 attorneys in 23 offices nationwide, we have many opportunities to test these principles on a daily basis in our recruiting, hiring and promotion efforts. We feel these principles contribute to our ability to provide innovative and creative solutions that address our clients’ needs. We salute Equality Illinois for its efforts to ensure a safe and fair work environment for LGBT employees.

is proud to be recognized by

Equality Illinois for our commitment to

LGBT Workplace Equality Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP LGBT Affinity Network 222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 300 Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-704-3777 www.hinshawlaw.com Arizona  California  Florida  Illinois  Indiana  Massachusetts Minnesota  Missouri  New York  Oregon  Rhode Island  Wisconsin

TESTIMONY: Making a Case For Workplace Equality “At Aronberg Goldgehn, our personal approach to the practice of law applies both internally and externally, and we view a commitment to diversity in the workplace as an extremely important component of that approach. Having recently celebrated the firm’s 120-year anniversary, we understand the vital role of a welcoming and supportive work environment, and we are very honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois for our dedication to LGBT inclusion.” - Christopher J. Bannon, Co-Managing Member “We are honored to be named among the most lgbt friendly firms in Illinois. We are proud to be part of this thriving legal community. And, we are excited at the rapid progress we see and help happen every day for lgbt families across the country.” - Coco Soodek, Of Counsel, Chicago, Bryan Cave LLP “At Butler Rubin, it’s very important that every member of our firm feel a part of the team. We emphasize inclusiveness throughout the firm and in all areas of our recruitment process.” - Michael P. Motyka, Chief Operating Officer and Management Committee Member “Chapman and Cutler is a leader in equal opportunity employment because we value excellence. Excellence has no color, no gender, no sexual orientation, but rather is found in cultivating the talents and unique perspectives of each individual employee.” - Stacey Kielbasa, our Director of Professional Development, Attorney Recruitment and Diversity “Dentons is honored to receive this award, which recognizes the Firm’s commitment to diversity. We remain laser-focused on harnessing the talent and experiences of our people to build a global community of inclusiveness and opportunity.” - Mary G. Wilson, managing partner of Dentons’ Chicago office “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.”

“We’re honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois, but we’re even more thankful to have an organization like EQIL sharing best practices when it comes to promoting equal work environments for LGBT individuals. People want action as opposed to words when it comes to diversity and inclusiveness, and that’s our focus at Drinker Biddle. ” - Steve Selna, Co-Chair, Drinker Biddle Firmwide Diversity Committee “Dykema is proud to have created and maintained a work environment that’s open and welcoming to all.” - Peter M. Kellett, Chairman and CEO “Edwards Wildman is honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois, which reflects our long-standing commitment to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights in the workplace and on pro bono matters. Our firm is an inclusive workplace because it is the right thing to do and because it is good for our business and clients.” - Matthew McTygue, Partner and leader of the firm’s GLBT Affinity Group “Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd believes that the fight for equal protection and access to justice for our clients must begin with equal protection and equal access for our lawyers and staff. We succeed in fighting for the rights of our clients because we adhere to those principles in the way we run our business.” - Jon F. Erickson, Erickson & Oppenheimer “Foley & Lardner LLP is proud of its commitment to supporting and advancing LGBT diversity in the workplace. We are honored to be recognized again by Equality Illinois for our continued efforts to provide an equal and inclusive workplace for all. “ - John Litchfield, Chicago Litigation Attorney, President, Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago “We are honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois for the second year in a row as one of the top Illinois law firms for LGBT inclusiveness and equality. This recognition is a direct result of our commitment as a firm—from the top down—to create a workplace where each of our attorneys and employees has the ability to succeed while being their self.” - Michael J. Hernandez, Firm Diversity Officer at Franczek Radelet

- Genhi Givings Bailey, Director of Diversity & Inclusion

RAISING THE BAR

| 38

Abu Dhabi Barcelona Beijing Boston Brussels Chicago Doha Dubai D端sseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Madrid Milan Moscow Munich New Jersey New York Orange County Paris Riyadh* Rome San Diego San Francisco Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Washington, D.C. * In association with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi

Latham & Watkins is honored to be recognized by LW.com

Equality Illinois We are proud to make a difference in our community through inclusiveness and equality.

TESTIMONY: CONTINUED

Making a Case For Workplace Equality “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 attorneys of all backgrounds 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.”

“We are honored that Equality Illinois has recognized Kirkland among the top law firms for LGBT inclusiveness for the fourthstraight year. At Kirkland, you find not only the passion and commitment to building a vibrant LGBT community, but also the policies and programs to provide support on a Firmwide level.”

- Oscar Alcantara, Principal in Litigation Group and Chair of the Goldberg Kohn Diversity Committee

- Intellectual property partner Jordan Heinz, a member of Kirkland’s LGBT Subcommittee of the Firmwide Diversity Committee

“Hinshaw is proud to be recognized again as a law firm leading the way to LGBT equality. We work hard to ensure an inclusive environment and equal opportunity for our staff and attorneys to achieve their highest potential. This part of our firm culture is instrumental in helping us provide our clients with the wealth of perspectives and experiences necessary to resolve their legal issues.” – Todd Young, Hinshaw Partner and Chair of Hinshaw’s LGBT Affinity Network “At Holland & Knight, we believe our opportunities are without limitations, and we strive to make our firm an inclusive and respectful place to work for our diverse team of lawyers and staff.” - Grant McCorkhill, Partner, Holland & Knight “The firm has long been committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace environment and furthering LGBT rights, and we are proud that Equality Illinois has recognized our efforts in again honoring us as one of the top LGBT-friendly law firms in Illinois.” - Susan C. Levy, Jenner & Block’s Managing Partner “At Johnson & Sullivan we are proud to be an openly gay owned and operated firm. Our staff is reflective of the diverse community we serve and we are committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession.” - Mario A. Sullivan “Katten has long been committed to ensuring that our firm provides a working environment that is inclusive and that respects and values diversity”

“Latham has been a leader in developing, promoting and implementing processes that ensure lawyers, paralegals and professional staff are hired, trained and promoted fairly, consistent with our goals of equal opportunity and diversity in the practice of law. Lawyers of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations have long been represented on the firm’s management committees responsible for promotions to partnership, recruiting and training (among other management responsibilities). Our commitment to equal opportunity enables Latham to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to recruit and retain the best lawyers, professional staff and paralegals to create one of the world’s leading law firms.” - Brad Kotler, Managing Partner of the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins LLP “Mayer Brown is very proud to be recognized by Equality Illinois as a leader in creating an inclusive workplace for all of our LGBT colleagues, and we are committed to continuing to promote the civil rights of our LGBT friends and colleagues.” - Brian May, Partner and Co-Chair, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion “We work hard at McDermott to create a culture of inclusion and equality for all LGBT attorneys and staff, and to promote equality for LGBT people around the world. We are enormously proud that we received Equality Illinois’ ‘Business Leadership Award’ last year as well as our eighth consecutive 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.” - Lisa A. Linsky, Chair of McDermott Will & Emery’s LGBT Diversity & Inclusion Committee

- Vincent A.F. Sergi, Katten Chairman

RAISING THE BAR

| 40

Thank you. Thank you, Equality Illinois. We salute your efforts to secure, protect and defend the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois. Congratulations to our fellow honorees.

Americas | Asia | Europe | www.mayerbrown.com

Mayer Brown is a global legal services provider comprising legal practices that are separate entities (the “Mayer Brown Practices”). The Mayer Brown Practices are: Mayer Brown LLP and Mayer Brown Europe – Brussels LLP, both limited liability partnerships established in Illinois USA; Mayer Brown International LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales (authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England and Wales number OC 303359); Mayer Brown, a SELAS established in France; Mayer Brown JSM, a Hong Kong partnership and its associated entities in Asia; and Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a Brazilian law partnership with which Mayer Brown is associated. “Mayer Brown” and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of the Mayer Brown Practices in their respective jurisdictions.

TESTIMONY: CONTINUED

Making a Case For Workplace Equality “One of McGuireWoods’ most important core values is our commitment to diversity within our law firm and in the legal profession generally. We support organizations like Equality Illinois, the National LGBT Bar Association, the Human Rights Campaign and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association in direct furtherance of those objectives.” - Mike Graff, Member, McGuireWoods Diversity Committee, and Chair, McGuireWoods LGBT Attorney Network “Our firm will be most successful if we are able to attract and retain the most talented people and permit them to work in an organization that is motivating and supportive. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where anyone with talent, energy and desire can succeed.” - Francis M. Milone, Chair, Morgan Lewis “Neal Gerber Eisenberg is proud to again be recognized by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms Raising the Bar by leading the way to LGBT equality for the fourth year in a row. This honor underscores our ongoing commitment to the LGBT community specifically and to diversity and inclusion in general. We recognize that diversity is a vital component of our culture, strategic planning and overall well-being.” - William Choslovsky, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee “Equal treatment for LGBT lawyers and staff is not an aspiration, it is an imperative. We believe a diverse environment fosters an inclusive atmosphere that benefits everyone within it. Nixon Peabody’s supportive work culture makes the firm more interesting and stimulating, and it enables us to respond with greater agility to the challenges faced by our clients in a diverse world.” - Kendal Tyre, partner and co-chair of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity Action Committee “We are proud to be a leader in supporting equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Illinois. Perkins Coie shares in Equality Illinois’ commitment to the values of inclusiveness, respect and fairness.” - Debra Bernard, Partner, Chair of GLBT Affinity Group

“Quarles and Brady has a long-standing commitment to provide equal treatment to all of its employees. In particular, the firm was one of the first to offer “gross-up” salary matching to offset discrepancies in health insurance coverage costs. Additionally, the firm is adamant about supporting LGBT causes by sponsoring countless events in the community, hosting events at the Quarles & Brady offices, donating attorney time to perform work on behalf of LGBT organizations, and consistently making an effort to recruit and maintain LGBT talent.” - Nicole Bashor, Associate “Reed Smith strives to be an employer of choice for all, and is particularly proud of its efforts to build an inclusive environment supportive of our LGBT lawyers and staff. Doing so is not only the right thing to do, but embracing diverse perspectives in our business is one of our core values that positively impacts our service to our clients. Equality Illinois’ recognition of our firm’s inclusion efforts helps sustain Reed Smith’s commitment to maintaining a workplace that welcomes and supports everyone.” - Tyree Jones, Reed Smith’s Director of Global Diversity “Years ago, Schiff Hardin was among the first major law firms in the United States to provide employee benefits to same-sex partners of employees. Schiff Hardin continues to be at the forefront of efforts to provide LGBT lawyers and staff a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and diverse.” - Clay Tillack, chair of the LGBT Diversity Subcommittee at Schiff Hardin “Schopf & Weiss is honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois. This is a recognition of everyone who works here—attorneys and staff alike—all of whom are committed to making our firm an inclusive and diverse workplace.” - Jason M. Rosenthal, Managing Partner “Sedgwick demonstrates its profound support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community by the firm’s leadership, regardless of their sexual orientation, attending LGBT events, mentoring LGBT attorneys, leading LGBT pipeline initiatives, and creating a culture in which everyone’s perspective is heard and respected.” - Jim Holmes, Sedgwick Partner & Chair of the LGBT Action Committee

RAISING THE BAR

| 42

We are proud to support

EQUALITY ILLINOIS in its continuing efforts to lead the way to LGBT equality. At Morgan Lewis, we value differences — in the types of work we do, the clients we partner with, the lawyers who make up our practices, and the perspectives we apply to today’s business challenges.

w w w. m o rg a nl ew is . c o m

TESTIMONY: CONTINUED

Making a Case For Workplace Equality “Seyfarth Shaw has a strong commitment to fostering and developing relationships with the LGBT community. We strive to promote workplace equality for every employee at our firm, and we are honored that our efforts have been recognized by Equality Illinois.” - Gerald Pauling, Chicago Partner and National Diversity Action Team Co-Chair “We are able to show leadership in LGBT equality because our commitment to all forms of diversity is embraced both by senior management and by our partnership as a whole.” - Carter Phillips, Chair of Sidley’s Executive Committee “This attitude is reflected in recruiting and mentoring, in the selection of colleagues for leadership positions and in policies.” - Chuck Douglas, Chair of Sidley’s Management Committee

“We are honored to be named by Equality Illinois as one of the leading law firms doing business in Illinois. 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.” - Amanda C. Sommerfeld, Partner and Chair, Diversity Committee “For 26 years my Firm has always served everyone with respect and integrity while specifically marketing to LGBT persons. We do that because it is the right thing to do. I have always been the owner/manager, and whether we were three attorneys plus support staff or simply myself and a paralegal, the principles of fairness and dignity for everyone remained the same.” - Ellen A. Yearwood, Yearwood and Associates

We are proud to support Equality Illinois Helping clients meet their legal and business challenges throughout the world, we serve public, private, government and nonprofit clients from countless industries, helping them reach their objectives from virtually any area of law.

Michael W. Graff Jr., Partner 703.712.5110 | mgraff@mcguirewoods.com 1750 Tysons Boulevard | Suite 1800 Tysons Corner, Virginia 22102

900 Lawyers | 19 Offices | www.mcguirewoods.com

RAISING THE BAR

| 44

WHAT SETS US APART IS HOW WE WORK

TOGETHER Nixon Peabody is proud to be A LEADER IN DIVERSITY Our emphasis on inclusion and collaboration enhances our effectiveness and makes our firm an attractive place to be. We join Equality Illinois in supporting equal rights for the LGBT community.

LEARN MORE AT NIXONPEABODY COM

D I V E R S I T Y

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

K E Y

I N G R E D I E N T

Perkins Coie is honored to be recognized as a leading law firm for LGBT workplace equality. We strongly promote inclusion and advocate for the success of LGBT attorneys in our firm and the legal profession. At Perkins Coie, we believe diversity is essential to providing the best solutions to clients. It is a key ingredient to our success.

CONTACT: Debra R. Bernard, Partner

PHONE: 312.324.8559 EMAIL: DBernard@perkinscoie.com 131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 1700 Chicago, Illinois 60603

www.perkinscoie.com Perkins Coie llp ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

At Quarles & Brady,

every person counts, every day. Quarles & Brady proudly stands with Equality Illinois. Our commitment is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for attorneys and staff, and to fine tune our internal programs and policies to address the needs of our LGBT personnel. For more information on our commitment to diversity, visit us online at http://www.quarles.com/diversity/, or contact Janine Landow-Esser, Diversity Committee Co-Chair, at (312) 715-5055/janine.landow-esser@quarles.com.

www.quarles.com Chicago

Madison

Milwaukee

Naples

Phoenix

Shanghai

Tampa

Tucson

Washington, D.C.

RAISING THE BAR: Best Practices Manual

Based on the results of the annual Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, we have developed a comprehensive Best Practices Manual to assist law firms in implementing LGBT-friendly workplace policies. The Best Practices Manual provides a step-by-step guide for implementing the recommendations in this brochure, as well as in-depth recommendations for long-term LGBT-friendly workplace practices. With the help of Equality Illinois Best Practices Manual, law firms across the state have access to: • Advice on welcoming workplace policies from practicing LGBT attorneys • Recommendations for creating domestic partnership benefit packages • Guidelines to for supporting transitioning employees; and • Examples of LGBT-friendly policies that have been successfully implemented by law firms in Illinois • And much more RAISING THE BAR

| 48

Our business is built on diverse relationships. As a law firm committed to diversity, Reed Smith is proud to have been recognized for its LGBT inclusiveness by Equality Illinois. To learn more, visit diversity.reedsmith.com.

reedsmith.com

is honored to be recognized by

Equality Illinois as a leading law firm that supports LGBT workplace equality.

Learn more about Schopf & Weiss at sw.com

One South Wacker Drive, 28th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606-4617

Tel: 312.701.9300 Fax: 312.701.9335

DUE DILIGENCE: Nine Habits of Highly-Scoring Firms

And easy steps every firm can take right away 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 training 6. Respect transgender and gender-transitioning employees by using appropriate names and personal pronouns and having a gender-neutral 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. Offer a “gross-up” benefit to employees with same-sex partners to compensate for the adverse treatment by federal tax laws

RAISING THE BAR

| 52

It’s simple.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion make better lawyers.

And that’s fabulous.

“Sedgwick is dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender attorneys and creating an inclusive environment for all of our attorneys. Attorneys from diverse backgrounds and experiences, working toward a common goal, offer the best opportunity to deliver the outstanding legal services that our clients expect.” — Michael Tanenbaum, Chair of the Firm

www.sedgwicklaw.com

DUE DILIGENCE: Benefits and Compensation

Health, welfare, and retirement benefits are vital in recruiting and retaining top talent. Offering benefits to domestic and civil union partners of employees sends a message that the firm values all of its employees equally. Under Illinois law, employers must treat their employees in civil unions in the same way as married employees. See below for a list of common benefits available to both same-sex partners and married partners.

•

Health

•

Dental

•

Vision

•

Dependents’ medical coverage

•

COBRA/benefits continuation

•

FMLA/comparable benefits

•

Bereavement leave

•

Supplemental life insurance

•

Relocation assistance

•

Adoption assistance

•

Retiree health care

•

Pension plan benefits

•

Retirement benefits

•

Survivors’ benefits

•

Tuition assistance to spouse and children

•

Counseling services

•

Employee discounts

RAISING THE BAR

| 54

Diversity at Seyfarth Individual by nature. Bound by character.

At Seyfarth Shaw, we believe that diversity—in terms of people, perspectives and experiences—can create more innovative solutions and greater contributions from everyone.

Seyfarth Shaw is honored to be recognized by Equality Illinois as a Leading Law Firm for our achievements and commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality. Seyfarth Shaw has over 800 attorneys located in 10 offices throughout the United States, including: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., as well as internationally in London and Shanghai. Seyfarth Shaw provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, corporate and real estate. The firm’s clients include over 300 of the Fortune 500 companies, and our practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the economy.

www.seyfarth.com

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

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.

NOTES:

Equality Illinois is the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest and largest organization securing, defending, and protecting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

www.Equality Illinois.org 17 North State Street, Suite 1020 Chicago, IL 60602 773.477.7173 info@eqil.org facebook.com/equalityillinois