Pepper Hamilton Earns 100 Percent Rating on 2016 Corporate Equality Index
Pepper Hamilton LLP has achieved a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's Corporate Equality Index for 2016. This is the fourth year the firm has received a perfect score and been designated as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.
The 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which was released on November 18, is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, including nondiscrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community.
The 2016 report rated 1,027 businesses, with a record 407 receiving a perfect score. Ninety-five major U.S. law firms, including Pepper, earned a 100 percent rating in the CEI, putting the legal industry ahead of all other business sectors in LGBT inclusion policies.
Led by Pepper partner Nicholas M. Kouletsis, Pepper Pride!, the firm's LGBT Affinity Group is open to all lawyers and staff and their allies within the firm. The group provides a forum and serves as an advisory body with respect to all matters of concern to the Pepper LGBT community, as well as a support and social network.
On November 10, Pepper Pride!, in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, held a seminar at Pepper titled "On the Edge of Equality." This panel discussion covered the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court right-to-marriage case, Obergefell v. Hodges. The discussion focused on the history leading to the Obergefellcase, religious pushback in the aftermath of the Obergefelldecision and advocacy at the federal, state and local levels to secure full equality for members of the LGBT community moving forward.
For more information on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against
LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Content contributed by attorneys of Troutman Sanders LLP and Pepper Hamilton LLP prior to April 1, 2020, is included here, together with content contributed by attorneys of Troutman Pepper (the combined entity) after the merger date.