Shook, Hardy & Bacon

SHB received a score of 100 on the 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2)(3). SHB received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (4)(5). SHB has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (6).

SHB’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2)(3). SHB’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (4)(5). The firm does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (6).

SHB’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend at least one, controversial training on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2)(3). SHB’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (4)(5). SHB is Mansfield Certified, indicating its support of DEI in its recruitment, hiring, promotions, and leadership composition (6)(7). The firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which holds to the SRA Standards (8)(9)(10). SHB has an educational series for all employees on issues including gender bias, implicit bias, and “transgender realities” in the workplace (11). The firm does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (12).

SHB’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company potentially agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3). SHB’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (4)(5). SHB supports DEI within its business practices stating that DEI is, “essential component” of the firm. The firm hosts LGBTQ Pride celebrations and pro bono LGBTQ+ for both adults and minors to help them in litigation before judges and negotiation with counsel for state record changes. It hosts D&I fellowships, scholarships, and retreats (6). The firm signed an open letter endorsing the Equality Act, a contentious proposal to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by adding sexual orientation and so-called gender identity as protected categories. The legislation would, among other implications, grant biological men access to women-only spaces such as sports teams and public restrooms, and compel healthcare providers to deliver sex-denying healthcare (7). SHB’s CEO, Madeleine McDonough, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace, strategize on DEI programs/initiatives with other signatories, and engage boards of directors when developing and evaluating DEI strategies (8)(9).

SHB’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits, lab monitoring, and mental health benefits. The company also covers at least five of the following services: reconstructive hair removal, cosmetic hair removal, tracheal shave or reduction, facial surgeries, voice modification surgery, voice modification therapy, lipoplasty or filling for body masculinization or feminization, and travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the company has potentially pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3)(4). SHB’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (5)(6). SHB is a member of the Center for Legal Inclusiveness, the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the LGBTQ+ National Bar Association (7). The firm also sponsored a booth for the Kansas City Pride Parade (8)(9). SHB is a member of the MCCA, indicating its focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees based on race (10)(11). The firm is a Corporate Member of the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce (12)(13). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of SHB using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (14).

SHB’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). SHB is a part of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, committed to work on initiatives that fight “systemic racism” (3)(4). The firm has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes and has not reported on its lobbying (5)(6)(7).