Axiom Named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Earning Top Marks in the 2020 Corporate Equality Index

Axiom receives a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual report assessing LGBTQ workplace equality

NEW YORK – January 21, 2019 – Axiom, the global leader in specialized on-demand legal talent, proudly announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Axiom joins the ranks of more than 680 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“Inclusivity is part of our DNA – it’s reflected in our workplace as a living, breathing manifestation of our corporate values,” said John Erban, SVP, Lawyer Talent, Axiom. “We take pride in the fact that we are actively making the world of law more inclusive. Pride, however, is not enough. We are committed to continued advocacy for the LGBTQ community – a community that is significantly underrepresented in the legal industry. We are further committed to demonstrating the many tangible benefits of working with lawyers from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.”

“It is incumbent upon leaders to create a culture of belonging,” said Elena Donio, CEO, Axiom. “I challenge all businesses, and my fellow business leaders, to emulate the inclusive approach modeled by the like-minded organizations who have also earned top marks on this year’s CEI scorecard. While we’re honored by the recognition, and by the company we’re keeping, we recognize the journey to a truly inclusive business environment has only just begun. We pledge to continue to create a diverse culture of acceptance and we invite other organizations – in fact, we implore other organizations – to join us in that pledge.”

“The impact of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index over its 18-year history is profound. In this time, the corporate community has worked with us to adopt LGBTQ-inclusive policies, practices and benefits, establishing the Corporate Equality Index as a primary driving force for LGBTQ workplace inclusion in America and across the globe,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do -- it is also the best business decision. In addition, many of these leaders are also advocating for the LGBTQ community and equality under the law in the public square. From supporting LGBTQ civil rights protections in the U.S. through HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, to featuring transgender and non-binary people in an ad in Argentina, to advocating for marriage equality in Taiwan -- businesses understand their LGBTQ employees and customers deserve to be seen, valued and respected not only at work, but in every aspect of daily life.”

The results of this year’s CEI showcase how 1059 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but are also helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Axiom’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:

• Non-discrimination policies
• Employment benefits
• Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion
• Public commitment to LGBTQ equality
• Responsible citizenship

Axiom’s perfect score in the HRC’s CEI is one part of Axiom’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio – a portfolio committed to improving industry efforts to promote a more inclusive legal community and to provide a more diverse population with access to legal talent. As part of that portfolio, Axiom recently released its 2018/2019 Diversity Report, which reveals that its diversity statistics eclipse legal industry standards, and further underscores the company’s commitment to D&I across the legal industry and within its employee population. Axiom also recently announced a strategic partnership with Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice and legal support for the disadvantaged. The partnership will allow Axiom’s lawyers to "practice for a purpose," providing access to legal assistance for underserved and diverse populations. Axiom anticipates unveiling additional initiatives underneath its CSR umbrella in the near term.

The full HRC 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 America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

About Axiom
Axiom, the global leader in specialized on-demand legal talent, is disrupting the way legal teams and lawyers work. Axiom enables clients to access over 2,000 talented lawyers through a curated platform and build more dynamic teams to drive better business outcomes. Axiom empowers lawyers across industries and practice areas to thrive while pursuing more of the work they love. The company is deeply committed to gender equality and diversity and prides itself on having one of the most diverse employee populations in the industry. Axiom works with over half of the Fortune 100 companies, and currently operates in North America, the U.K., Central Europe and Asia Pacific. www.axiomlaw.com.

Contacts
For Axiom:
Wendy Schechter, Articulate Communications (US)
914.764.3509
axiom@articulatecomms.com

Holly Rees, Articulate Communications (UK)
44.782.179.7275
axiom@articulatecomms.com