Ballard Spahr Earns Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Annual Scorecard on LGBTQ Equality

Ballard Spahr has been designated a "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality," earning a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index for the fourth time.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality. Its Corporate Equality Index ranks policies and practices affecting LGBTQ employees at companies across the country.

Said Virginia G. Essandoh, Chief Diversity Officer at Ballard Spahr: "The Corporate Equality Index measures in a very specific and intentional way whether companies walk the walk on LGBTQ workplace equality. We are honored to have earned another perfect score and to be recognized for our firm-wide commitment to LGBTQ employees and their families."

The scorecard evaluates LGBTQ-related issues such as non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community.

Ballard Spahr's commitment to diversity and inclusion is longstanding and reflected in the firm's employment policies, community involvement, and recruiting initiatives. It is a signatory of The Business Statement for Transgender Equality. The firm's business resource groups include Equality Ballard: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Lawyers and Friends, which provides opportunities for business development and pro bono outreach to the LGBTQ community while maintaining a supportive internal environment.