Chief Judge of US Court of Appeals for 7th Circuit to speak - 2564 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

CHICAGO — In her first address to an LGBT organization, Diane Pamela Wood, the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, will speak before the Equality Illinois "Raising the Bar" Recognition Breakfast on Wednesday.

The breakfast in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, at which 41 Illinois law firms will be honored for "Raising the Bar" and leading the way in providing a welcoming and fair work environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) employees and engaging with the LGBT community, will hear Judge Wood speak on the importance of diversity in the legal field.

At the breakfast, the Equality Illinois Raising the Bar 2014 report will be released. The report goes into depth on the findings of the annual Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey and the common characteristics of the high-scoring firms recognized in the report. The report can be read online at issuu.com/eqil/docs/equality_illinois_raising_the_bar_2/1 .

"As we make progress towards full LGBT equality in the law and in the court of public opinion, the state's lawyers have led the way through inclusiveness in their workplaces, community outreach, and public advocacy," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT civil rights organization.

"The 41 law firms that Equality Illinois is recognizing in the Raising the Bar 2014 report are at the forefront of that effort, and we congratulate them and thank them for their contributions," Cherkasov said.

With the information gathered from the 2014 Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, Equality Illinois identified the law firms in Illinois that are leading the way to LGBT workplace equality and community engagement. The findings include:

For the third year in a row, 100% of responding firms have an equal employment opportunity policy or non-discrimination policy that expressly included sexual orientation.

100% of responding large and mid-size firms have an equal employment opportunity policy or non-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or gender expression.

53% of responding firms have gender transition guidelines, a recently recognized policy need, representing a six-percentage-point increase from last year.

In a growing trend, 21% of responding firms require their vendors or contractors to have a non-discrimination policy that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression in order to provide staff or engage in business with the firm.

"Every law firm in the state — indeed every business in the state — can learn from these pro-active policies that not only help the companies compete in the marketplace, but also help the companies recruit and retain top talent. Equality Illinois stands ready to assist any Illinois firm that wants to strengthen its LGBT-friendly policies," Cherkasov said.

For the 41 recognized firms, inclusion in the 2014 Equality Illinois "Raising the Bar" report is highly valued.

For example, Clay Tillack, chair of the LGBT Diversity Subcommittee at Schiff Hardin LLP, said, "Even as we make considerable, even breathtaking progress in the LGBT rights movement, it is sobering to recognize that much work remains to be done. Each of us and each of the organizations to which we belong or for which we work can make a difference. I am proud that Schiff Hardin continues to be at the forefront of efforts to provide LGBT lawyers and staff a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and diverse."

The law firms being recognized, in alphabetical order, are listed here. Also, following the list, many of the firms commented on the meaning of this recognition:

Aronberg Goldgehn

Baker & McKenzie

Bryan Cave LLP

Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd LLP

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Clark Hill PLC

Dentons US LLP

DLA Piper

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Dykema

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP

Foley & Lardner LLP