For Immediate Release
September 2, 2020
Washington, DC — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT Community, is proud to welcome national employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. as a National Legal Partner. The firm is now one of NGLCC’s more than 300 corporate partners dedicated to supporting LGBT entrepreneurs and sourcing from NGLCC’s Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers. Jackson Lewis will play a leadership role on the prestigious NGLCC National Legal Industry Council (NLIC), the NGLCC Procurement Council, the NGLCC Corporate Advisory Council, and more.
Legal services represent one of the largest sectors of procurement and business development in the corporate world, and yet diverse-owned firms make up a miniscule portion of the contracts won historically. That is changing thanks to the leadership of firms like Jackson Lewis and others who have joined NGLCC’s call to action for inclusive workplaces and supply chains.
“Jackson Lewis supports every individual at our firm and in our communities,” said Firm Chair Kevin G. Lauri. “Our commitment to excellence is strengthened because of our races, genders, sexual orientations, backgrounds and experiences, and we look forward to working with the NGLCC as we help expand economic advancements for LGBT people.”
LGBT business owners make up a significant part of the American business landscape, contributing an estimated $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy. LGBT-owned businesses have become an essential part of corporate supplier diversity programs, and sourcing from Certified LGBTBE® suppliers is recognized as a required component of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) evaluation as well as a noteworthy contributing element of the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) criteria. Additionally, the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) voted unanimously to include NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® suppliers as members of their organization.
“We are excited to have Jackson Lewis join us as an NGLCC National Legal Partner, serving as a role model for other law firms and a leader among our corporate partners seeking to expand LGBT-inclusive opportunities throughout the legal industry,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “Within an industry that has maintained a strong commitment to inclusion, partnering with the NGLCC is a logical step for many law firms that seek to advance their diversity values while also attracting and maintaining Fortune 1000 clients by mirroring their inclusion practices, including supplier diversity.”
NGLCC has certified over 1400 Certified LGBTBE® suppliers since its founding in 2002. In supporting NGLCC, Jackson Lewis has committed to making efforts to include these Certified LGBTBE® companies in its procurement and sourcing efforts and providing opportunities for NGLCC’s LGBT business owners to grow and foster business relationships with Jackson Lewis’ leadership team.
“NGLCC’s mission resonates strongly with us, and we are looking forward to working with them,” said Jana Simon, Jackson Lewis’ Director of Diversity & Inclusion. “We will continue to use our time, energy, and resources to empower and provide opportunities for LGBT business owners.”
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ABOUT NGLCC
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org @nglcc
Contact:
Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President, NGLCC
T: 202.234.9181 / E: jlovitz@nglcc.org
ABOUT JACKSON LEWIS
Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 950+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable and diverse, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize inclusivity and respect for the contribution of every employee.
Contact:
Lara Hamm, Director of Communications and Public Relations
T: (267) 319-7803 / E: Lara.Hamm@jacksonlewis.com
