SEATTLE, Wash. (November 19, 2014) - Perkins Coie LLP is proud to announce that it has, for the seventh year in a row, earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and Best Places to Work, the annual national benchmarking survey on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBT equality.

Perkins Coie joins the ranks of 366 major U.S. businesses that have also received top marks, a perfect score, for their policies covering LGBT employees and advocacy for LGBT equality. This year, a total of 149 law firms participated, 89 of which scored 100.

“Our inclusion in the respected annual HRC CEI workplace ranking for the seventh year is true recognition of Perkins Coie’s commitment to a safe and nurturing work environment for all members of our LGBT community,” said Darrin Emerick, Perkins Coie’s Chief Personnel Officer. “We believe whole heartedly in the talents of our LGBT personnel and the entire diverse workforce at Perkins Coie. We are honored to be among the organizations represented in the 2015 HRC CEI rankings.”

The 2015 CEI rated 971 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. To achieve a perfect score and the coveted distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” firms must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship.

“In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. Perkins Coie not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values.”

Perkins Coie has been recognized for excellence and innovation in the legal industry and is frequently honored for its commitment to providing a workplace where all employees have the opportunity to grow and thrive. For 12 consecutive years, Perkins Coie has been on Fortune’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” and has also been listed on Working Mother Media/Flex-Time Lawyers LLC’s “Best Law Firms for Women” six times.

Perkins Coie embraces diversity as part of our commitment to excellence and community. Embracing diversity allows us to draw from varied perspectives and communities in order to deliver excellence to our clients and attract the very best talent to our ranks. Diversity is integral to our collegial environment because it allows us to learn from one another, appreciate differences and collaborate more effectively. We are also committed to supporting, participating and partnering with others in efforts to make the legal profession diverse and inclusive.

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.

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

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