Perkins Coie Earns Top Marks in 2009 Corporate Equality Index

SEATTLE (September 2, 2008) - Perkins Coie LLP is proud to announce that it has earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Perkins Coie joins the ranks of 259 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 583 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 criterion earned it the prestigious 100 percent ranking.

"At Perkins Coie we work hard to create an environment where all employees can pursue successful careers and also maintain fulfilling personal lives," said Darrin Emerick, the firm's Chief Personnel Officer. "We are proud of our community leadership and initiatives that support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people across the country."

Perkins Coie is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment that provides all employees the opportunity to succeed. For six consecutive years, the firm has been named to FORTUNE magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For." This year, the firm was also named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Crain's Chicago Business and one of the Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother Magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers.

For more information on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.