Herbert Smith Freehills named as top global employer for LGBT inclusion

Herbert Smith Freehills has been identified as one of the top global employers for LGBT inclusion in the annual ranking produced by Stonewall, the UK’s leading LGBT rights charity.

The firm has been named as one of only 17 organisations worldwide in the Top Global Employers 2020 list. It is the fifth consecutive year that Herbert Smith Freehills has been named in the list, which celebrates organisational efforts to create inclusive workplaces across the markets in which they operate.

Herbert Smith Freehills secured its place on the latest list via a submission to the Global Workplace Equality Index. Regarded as a powerful benchmarking tool for employers to develop inclusive workplaces, it required a demonstration of the firm’s performance against a set of best-practice criteria accompanied by supporting evidence.  Nine areas of employment policy and practice were covered, examining both global working structures and operational country activity.

Justin D’Agostino, CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills, says: "We take great pride that our determination to be a global leader for greater LGBT+ inclusion has been acknowledged year on year. It is an intrinsic part of our commitment to build a culture where people thrive being themselves and where they are respected for who they are. I am proud of the steps we have taken so far to create an inclusive workplace, but we remain steadfast in building a workplace environment that the best talent wants to be a part of."

Nancy Kelley, Chief Executive, Stonewall said: “Herbert Smith Freehills has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that all their lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff and stakeholders feel included at work and we’re delighted to name them as one of our Top Global Employers for 2020. Our Top Global Employers are at forefront of driving global LGBT inclusion in the workplace and inspiring positive social change.  Their leadership is particularly important now, as we face unprecedented global challenges as well as attacks on LGBT rights and LGBT communities in many countries around the world.”