Dentons named Small Employer of the Year and reaches Gold status at the AWEI Awards

Sydney—Dentons’ ongoing efforts to diversity and inclusion have received a top honour, after the Firm was named Small Employer of the Year and achieved Gold status at the Australian Workplace Equality Index Awards 2020.

The Awards, held for the first time via Zoom, recognise Australia’s top organisations for LGBTI Inclusion based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), and the second Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI). The AWEI and HWEI are rigorous and evidence-based benchmarking tools that annually assesses workplaces in the progress and impact of LGBTQ inclusion initiatives.

Australia Chair and Australasia Region CEO, Doug Stipanicev said the Firm was honoured by the recognition.

“Dentons is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion both in Australia and globally. We work hard to ensure that we have policies in place to support a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace; one where all of our employees feel valued and connected.

“LGBTQ inclusion is one of our core focus areas, along with gender, culture, disability, reconciliation and flexibility. In just three years, Dentons has moved from Bronze to Gold status. Our efforts have been on implementing actions to create tangible change. It is very gratifying to know that our initiatives are making a positive difference to the lived experience of LGBTQ people and their Allies.

“As part of the world’s largest law firm, we know how important it is to embrace all aspects of diversity. This award simply strengthens our commitment to diversity and inclusion in Australia.”

Dentons’ Head of Diversity and Inclusion in Australia, Executive Sponsor of Dentons LGBTQ network GLOW, and Partner, Ben Allen said: “Dentons GLOW works with a fairly lean team of members, but what we lack in numbers we definitely make up for in motivation.

“All of us have come together for different reasons, but with a shared vision: to bring all of those within Dentons on a journey to greater LGBTQ inclusion.

“I’m particularly proud of the growth we have seen of the Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service, which Dentons launched in 2019, and which we operate in partnership with the Inner City Legal Centre in Sydney. In 2020 we have seen the service grow and the difference it has made to the lives of trans and gender diverse people.

“Another highlight has been the rollout of gender pronouns on our email sign offs.

“Our diversity and inclusion efforts are more important now than ever, and we will continue to work together to help achieve a more equal world.”

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Enterprise, Dentons’ wholly owned subsidiary of innovation, advisory and technology operating units. Dentons' polycentric approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work. www.dentons.com.