The Human Rights Campaign has awarded Womble Bond Dickinson a perfect score of 100 for the firm’s support of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. The score was reported on the HRC’s 2015 Corporate Equality Index, which was released today. Womble Bond Dickinson is one of 364 major US businesses to earn a perfect score in the report.

Last year, Womble Bond Dickinson earned a score of 90 (on a scale of 0-100) on the Corporate Equality Index.

“We were pleased with our 2014 score, but not satisfied,” said Brent Clinkscale, former Chair of Womble Bond Dickinson's Diversity Committee. “We wanted to make sure we were doing all we can to promote a welcoming, inclusive workplace—and this report is a great indication that we are on the right track.”

The 2015 Corporate Equality Index rated 972 businesses, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including

  • Non-discrimination workplace protections
  • Domestic partner benefits
  • Transgender-inclusive health care benefits
  • Company-wide organizational competency programs
  • Positive public engagement with the LGBT community.

Womble Bond Dickinson's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

HRC President Chad Griffin said, “In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job. We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. Womble Bond Dickinson not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values.”

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.