Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has been named one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” in the 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI), one of only seven law firms to achieve the distinction.

Launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the DEI is recognized as an objective, reflective, forward-thinking, and confidential disability rating tool designed to assist businesses in advancing inclusive practices. The index is a comprehensive benchmark that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions across six categories, including culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier diversity, and non-US operations (not weighted).

“We are honored to be recognized in this year’s Disability Equality Index, in which our participation and performance are strong evidence of our firm’s commitment to advancing disability inclusion,” said Pallavi Wahi, K&L Gates’ co-managing partner, United States, and chair of the firmwide Diversity Committee. “K&L Gates, with support from our Diversity Committee’s disability taskforce chaired by Craig Leen and David Baghdassarian, remains thoroughly committed to our pledge to listen, be educated, take action, and work together to help in the fight to end inequality for all and to foster a more inclusive society and legal profession.”

The DEI is one of numerous diversity-related programs in which K&L Gates serves as a sponsor or participant. Internally, these include the firm’s Conversations About Race and Diversity speaker series focusing on the lingering effects of inequality and systemic racism in society; an equal justice pro bono effort to provide pro bono assistance in areas of particular need, such as voting rights, criminal justice reform, and the rights of indigenous peoples; a leadership program to help the firm’s women partners advance; an expanding K&L Gates: The Power of Partnership program with clients that offers first-year law school students the unique opportunity to experience legal work in both firm and in-house client settings; a firmwide mentoring program for diverse attorneys; and a Pathway to Success business training program with Ms. JD to aid the firm’s women associates in building their careers.

Among external organizations the firm supports are the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the National Bar Association (NBA), the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and Diversity Council Australia.

To read more about K&L Gates’ commitment and approach to diversity and inclusion, please visit the firm’s website.