October 11, 2010

 

MILWAUKEE, WIS. - The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP is pleased to announce that it has achieved a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign (“HRC”) Foundation’s 2011 Corporate Equality Index.

The HRC is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT”) equality. The 2011 Index, released October 1, 2010, rated a total of 618 private employers in various industries on a scale of 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of LGBT employees. 338 businesses achieved top rating this year, compared to 305 with top ratings in the 2010 Corporate Equality Index.

“Our Firm understands the importance of incorporating diversity in the workplace. Being recognized once again by the HRC Corporate Equality Index validates that we are upholding our mission,” said John W. Daniels Jr., chairman of Quarles & Brady. “We are committed to promoting and achieving diversity at all levels. Our Firm continues to develop programs and policies to address the needs of the LGBT community and provides supports for local LGBT groups in our city through sponsorships and membership opportunities. Receiving a 100 percent score on the Index for the second year in a row signifies how hard we work to incorporate diversity into the infrastructure of our organization. Maintaining diversity is beneficial to both our clients and the Firm.”

For the past nine years the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index has examined various industries’ corporate policies affecting LGBT employees throughout the country. Specific criteria for evaluation included whether employers have a written nondiscrimination policy and training covering sexual orientation and gender identity; provide insurance that covers transgender-related treatments; support same-sex partners of employees with health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies; have LGBT employee groups; engage in appropriate and respectful advertising to the community; contribute to community organizations; and decline to engage in any activities that would undermine the goal of equal rights for LGBT people. The full report is available at http://www.hrc.org/cei2011/index.html.

Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.