Wiley Rein Garners Top Marks in 2017 Corporate Equality Index

Washington, DC – Wiley Rein LLP received a perfect score of 100% on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The firm joins the ranks of 517 businesses that earned top marks on the 15th annual scorecard released today, a record number for the CEI. Wiley Rein was one of 112 law firms nationally that received a 100% score. It was also one of only 15 Washington, DC-based companies that received a top score.

The full report is available online at hrc.im/CEIReport.

“We’re extremely gratified to earn a perfect score in the 2017 CEI and honored to be a part of this impressive list of participants for the second consecutive year,” said Wiley Rein Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “We understand how important diverse cultures and identities are to the success of our firm, our employees, and our clients. We continually seek new ways to increase awareness of and participation in our LGBT efforts, foster diversity in firm leadership, and create an environment where inclusion and equality are recognized and celebrated.”

Committed to creating a welcoming environment for all of its employees, Wiley Rein participates in firmwide professional development efforts and outreach events. For example, more than 35 Wiley Rein attorneys participated earlier this year in the National Association for Law Placement’s Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, which encourages diverse high school students to pursue careers in the legal field. This was Wiley Rein’s third year hosting Street Law.

The firm also has a number of support groups at the firm, including the LGBT & Allies Affinity Group, co-chaired by Shawn H. Chang and Floyd B. Chapman. The firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, chaired by Anna M. Gomez, is comprised of attorneys from many practice areas.

The 2017 CEI rated 1,043 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including nondiscrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Wiley Rein’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in the 100% ranking and the designation as among the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” HRC is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality.

For more information on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, please click here.

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Founded in 1983, Wiley Rein is a dominant presence in the nation’s capital. With more than 240 lawyers, the firm has earned international prominence by representing clients in complex, high-stakes regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters. Many of Wiley Rein’s lawyers and public policy advisors have held high-level positions in the White House and federal agencies and on Capitol Hill. The firm represents a wide range of clients—from Fortune 500 corporations to trade associations to individuals—in virtually all industries.