Recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for Efforts in Building LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality
Global law firm Baker McKenzie has received a top score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2025 Corporate Equality Index, the foremost benchmarking survey and report in the US measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Baker McKenzie joins the ranks of 765 major US businesses that also earned top scores this year. This marks the 14th consecutive year the Firm has earned this recognition.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.
The results of the 2025 CEI showcase how US-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the US and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2025 CEI now includes 1,449 participants, with a record-breaking 98 percent of CEI businesses adopting non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity.
Baker McKenzie's efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
"We are proud to once again be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our commitment to workplace equality,” said Marredia Crawford, Baker McKenzie's Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer. "We are ‘all in’ when it comes to our ID&E efforts as we continue to build a deep-rooted culture of inclusion for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies. We are honored to stand with the league of US businesses leading the charge and moving the needle in creating workplaces where everyone feels they belong.”
“The CEI is so much more than a score on paper. For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful and supportive workplaces and benefits,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, SHRM-CP, HRCF Senior Director of Workplace Equality. “As conversations evolve on corporate America’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that largely recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion.”
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.
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