By MATT CHANDLER
mchandler@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1654

Nixon Peabody LLP, an international law firm with offices in Buffalo, received a perfect rating of 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign in its annual Corporate Equality Index.

It's the fifth consecutive year the firm received such a rating from the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered civil rights organization.

To obtain the score, an employer must provide:

• Diversity training

• A nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation

• Inclusive health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies to all employees with same-sex partners

• A firmwide diversity committee, including an LGBT affinity group.

Kendal Tyre is a partner in Nixon Peabody and co-chair of its Diversity Action Committee. He said it was an honor for the firm to be recognized for diversity initiatives in the workplace.

"We are very proud because this is an award that really speaks to the ongoing dedication we have to implementing programs that provide an inclusive environment and a diverse environment in which to work," Tyre said. "We are always challenging ourselves to find new and better ways to really think of ways we can be leaders in the industry in terms of diversity."

Nixon Peabody places an emphasis on diversity practices, he said.

"One of the things we just rolled out is something called the Diversity Challenge," he said. "This is a program where we challenge each attorney in the firm to devote about 40 hours annually to diversity initiatives, activities and events."

Tyre said despite the size and scope of the firm, it manages its diversity program by breaking into smaller components and encouraging input from all employees.

"We have affinity groups representing African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics and the LGBT community," he said. "Each of these groups have their own mission, and they serve as focus groups to guide the firm on what we can do better to address the needs of that particular community."

Nixon Peabody was one of the first in the nation to extend health and welfare coverage to domestic partners.

To view the entire 2011 HRC Corporate Equality Index report, visit www.hrc.org/cei