LGBT Corporate Ally: Holland & Knight Paves The Way For LGBT Lawyers

Partner Dianne Phillips spoke with the Boston Business Journal about the firm's ongoing efforts to expand support for LGBT employees and the community. Ms. Phillips was part of the original efforts to create domestic partner recognition, include full family insurance, and became the co-chair of the firmwide LGBT affinity group. Now, there are more than 40 members in the LGBT affinity group across our offices, with six partners and associates in the Boston office. The members of the affinity group have spearheaded pro bono impact litigation involving LGBT asylum issues and U.S. laws severely limiting the ability of persons with HIV-AIDS to travel to the United States. The firm supports the pro bono work by giving credible, billable hours to associates and partners doing this.

“Our work started really to support our colleagues and our employees. And then, you know, it continued to branch into really being sort of the right thing to do,” Ms. Phillips said. “Because we’ve had over the years folks who really were willing to talk about their personal stories and were willing to come out and be visible, it has really made it much, much easier to be supportive internally.”

READ: LGBT Corporate Ally: Holland & Knight Paves The Way For LGBT Lawyers (Subscription Required)