SEATTLE (December 8, 2011) - Perkins Coie LLP is proud to announce that it has earned the top rating of 100 percent in the Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and Best Places to Work 2012, an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Perkins Coie joins the ranks of 189 other major U.S. businesses that have also received top marks for their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees and consumers.

The CEI rated 636 businesses in total, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits. Perkins Coie's efforts in ensuring LGBT equality in each of the survey’s main criteria earned it the prestigious 100 percent ranking and a spot on the HRC’s 2012 “Best Places to Work” List.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for the fourth year in a row," said Darrin Emerick, the firm's Chief Personnel Officer. "We are proud to be a leader in supporting equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace, in the industry and in the community."

Perkins Coie is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment that provides all employees with the opportunity to succeed. For nine consecutive years, the firm has been named to FORTUNE magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For". Also, the firm has been named to the Yale Law Women’s “Top Ten Family Friendly Firms” list in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and to the “Best Law Firms for Women" by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Earlier this year, the firm received a Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum.

For more information on the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About 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.