Kelley Drye Earns Top Marks in 2020 Corporate Equality Index

Firm earns 100 percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual scorecard addressing LGBTQ workplace equality

Kelley Drye and Warren LLP has announced that it received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Kelley Drye has achieved a perfect mark on the survey.

“At Kelley Drye, diversity and inclusion are core values,” said Jim Carr, Chair, Kelley Drye. ​“These values are reflected in our approach to recruiting lawyers and staff and to creating a workplace where all members are safe, respected and valued.”

Kelley Drye’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

“The impact of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index over its 18-year history is profound. In this time, the corporate community has worked with us to adopt LGBTQ-inclusive policies, practices and benefits, establishing the Corporate Equality Index as a primary driving force for LGBTQ workplace inclusion in America and across the globe,” said HRC President Alphonso David. ​“These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do -- it is also the best business decision.”

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:

  • Non-discrimination policies
  • Employment benefits
  • Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion
  • Public commitment to LGBTQ equality
  • Responsible citizenship

Kelley Drye has a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  In 2015, the firm established the ​“Kelley Drye LGBTQ Network,” an affinity group of friends, allies and members of the LGBTQ community.  Open to everyone, the group reflects the firm’s goal of promoting diversity and inclusion and to increasing understanding of, and involvement in, the unique issues facing the LGBTQ community.  Kelley Drye is a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce  (NGLCC) and supports a number of LGBTQ organizations including the Trevor Project, SAGE and Immigration Equality, as well as the National LGBT Bar Association, LAMBDA Legal and LeGaL.

The full report is available online at www​.hrc​.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.