Shearman & Sterling has once again earned a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index—one of just 190 companies across industries, geographies and size to achieve this "best-in-class" designation. Participating and earning a perfect score for the third straight year, the firm achieved a 100 percent rating for its commitment to benefits and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees and their families.

The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year. To achieve a perfect score and the coveted distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” companies must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship. In its law firm report, the HRC Foundation not only tracks law firms’ progress but also actively works with diversity directors and partnership committees, as well as with LGBT attorneys, to implement inclusive policies at the nation’s most prestigious firms.

“We are delighted that the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has once again recognized Shearman & Sterling's commitment to the LGBT community and to an inclusive workplace for all," said John J. Cannon III, a partner and co-head of the firm's diversity and inclusion committee. “It is a tribute to our diversity initiatives, our senior leadership and, most of all, all of our lawyers and staff in our 20 offices worldwide that we are able to achieve this prestigious honor.”

The 2012 Corporate Equality Index rated a total of 850 private employers in various industries. The full report is available at www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to LGBT equality.