Kirkland & Ellis LLP Ranked as a Top 10 Illinois LGBT-Friendly Firm

Kirkland & Ellis LLP was named by Equality Illinois, an organization committed to securing, protecting, and defending equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Illinois, as one of the 10 most LGBT-friendly law firms doing business in the state.

The honor was announced at an event held in Chicago last night. The top firms were selected based on a survey of 150 law firms regarding LGBT initiatives and policies. Kirkland's survey included information regarding the Firm's LGBT recruiting efforts, domestic partner and transgender health benefits, diversity management, sponsorship and philanthropy, and commitment to LGBT pro bono matters. 

"We are proud of the recognition we have received from Equality Illinois, and of the commitment by Kirkland to support the LGBT population within our Firm and in our communities," said Jordan Heinz, a Chicago-based associate and member of Kirkland's LGBT Subcommittee of the Firmwide Diversity Committee.

Kirkland's LGBT programs have been recognized before. In 2009, The Human Rights Campaign gave Kirkland the first ever "Award for Workplace Equality Innovation."  The award honors businesses for a specific program that makes a positive difference to LGBT employees. Kirkland was recognized for its "ALLSA" Initiative, a program that formalizes the Firm's outreach to LGBT, racial/ethnic minority, and women law students by matching Kirkland attorneys with diverse student organizations across the country. HRC also honored Kirkland with a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index and Best Places to Work Survey in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

About Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a law firm with approximately 1,500 lawyers representing global clients in complex litigation and dispute resolution/arbitration, corporate and tax, restructuring, and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.