Katten Named Among Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality

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Mar 28, 2019, 17:07 ET

CHICAGO, March 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that it achieved a perfect score on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation based on the firm's LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies and practices.

"Katten is honored and proud to be recognized among the best places to work for LGBTQ equality. The firm's steadfast commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture demonstrates how much Katten values creating a workplace that is welcoming, supportive and respectful to all employees," said Chief Diversity Partner Leslie D. Minier.

In addition to non-discrimination workplace protections, Katten offers benefits, including health care, leave and other assistance that extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners as well as transgender individuals.

Katten's LGBT Coalition advocates for an inclusive environment for attorneys who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender by providing educational and business opportunities for LGBT attorneys and supporting organizations that work toward equal rights for LGBT individuals and families in the broader community.

During LGBT Pride Month last year, the coalition hosted a panel discussion featuring a human rights official at the United Nations who specializes in issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Later this year, Katten is planning to host its biennial LGBT Attorney Retreat in Philadelphia, coinciding with the LGBT Bar Association's Annual Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair.

"This recognition is very meaningful because it underscores the firm's diversity and inclusion efforts that go toward making Katten a community that actively and openly embraces, values and supports its LGBTQ attorneys and business professionals," said partner Brandon D. Hadley, who is also the co-chair of Katten's LGBT Coalition.

HRC Foundation's 2019 CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.

"Many of these companies have also become vocal advocates for equality in the public square, including the dozens that have signed on to amicus briefs in vital Supreme Court cases and the more than 170 that have joined HRC's Business Coalition for the Equality Act," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Time and again, leading American businesses have shown that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn't just the right thing to do — it's also good for business."

On a pro bono basis, Katten has represented LGBTQ individuals seeking asylum, fleeing persecution and facing discrimination. Moreover, Katten has sponsored the Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair and the Equality Illinois Gala, and also provided financial support to the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles and the LGBT Bar Association Foundation of Greater New York.

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial services, insolvency and restructuring, litigation, real estate, environmental and workplace safety, commercial finance, intellectual property, structured finance and securitization, and trusts and estates. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit www.kattenlaw.com.