Eight Years in a Row: Womble Bond Dickinson (US) Named A Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality

For the eighth consecutive year, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP has been named one of the Best Places to Work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) workplace equality.

The firm earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is the premier survey benchmarking tool on how corporations across the world are adopting equitable workplace policies, practices and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees. The CEI is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP has earned a perfect CEI score every year since 2015.

“We are honored to be named one of the HRC’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Employees once again,” said Betty Temple, Chair & CEO of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. “We at Womble Bond Dickinson have worked hard to promote diversity and inclusion. These efforts include earning Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers—including LGBTQ+ attorneys—in law firm leadership, partner promotions and lateral hires by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities. We have much more work to do, but we are proud to be recognized for the progress we have made.”

The 2022 HRC Corporate Equality Index measured companies across four key pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
• Corporate social responsibility.

By meeting all of the criteria used to grade companies in these categories, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.

The firm’s LGBTQ+ affinity group, WBD Pride, brings LGBTQ+ employees and allies together to build a culture where all employees are valued for who they are. 

Mason Freeman, Co-Chair of WBD Pride, said, “We are proud to be recognized for the eighth consecutive year as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ employees. WBD Pride is more than a group of people; it’s a mission for our firm and clients to continually strive for a more inclusive workplace.” 

“We know that law firms and companies that foster an inclusive culture are more effective in recruiting and retaining top talent and we certainly want to create a place that is welcoming to all. But more importantly, all employees deserve a safe work environment where they feel appreciated and valued. Our firm is working hard to ensure this is the type of workplace we have for all our team members—and this recognition from the HRC is an indication we are headed in the right direction,” said Tara Cho, Co-Chair of WBD Pride.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.