Holland & Knight Earns Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index

MIAMI (January 28, 2021) – Holland & Knight received a perfect rating of 100 percent on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. The report is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Holland & Knight joins 767 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year. The firm has maintained a 100 percent score on the CEI since 2015.

Holland & Knight's ongoing journey to achieve diversity and inclusion is one of sustained commitment, consistent engagement and regular assessment. As evidence, Holland & Knight recently signed on to the Human Rights Campaign's Business Coalition for the Equality Act in support of equal employment for LGBTQ individuals, furthering the firm's continued advocacy on behalf of its LGBTQ employees.

"We work exceptionally hard to keep diversity and inclusion front of mind in every facet of the firm's business operations in order to accomplish an inclusive environment, particularly for the LGBTQ community," said Dianne Phillips, co-chair of the firm's LGBT Affinity Group. "Working with HRC provides an outlet to showcase all of the great policies we have been able to implement here at the firm."

"This year has shown us that tools like the CEI are crucial in the work to increase equity and inclusion in the workplace, but also that companies must breathe life into these policies and practices in real and tangible ways," said Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David. "Thank you to the companies that understand protecting their LGBTQ employees and consumers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do—but the best business decision."

The results of the 2021 CEI showcase how 1,142 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but also for the 57 percent of CEI-rated companies with global operations that are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Holland & Knight's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

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