Eight law firms feature in campaigning charity Stonewall’s list of the top-100 gay-friendly workplaces, published today.

City firm Simmons & Simmons (pictured) leads the way, in ninth place. Baker & McKenzie is 19th, followed by Pinsent Masons, Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells, which all have top-50 places.

Eversheds just misses out on a top-50 spot, coming in 52nd, up 21 places on its ranking last year. CMS Cameron McKenna is in 62nd place and Irwin Mitchell 10 places behind.

The Crown Prosecution Service ranks 55th, in a list dominated by the public sector and big business.

The Stonewall workplace equality index, now in its ninth year, benchmarks progress made by UK organisations on lesbian, gay and bisexual equality in the workplace.

Organisations apply to be included and are measured against 25 questions across eight areas of good practice, which include policy, employee engagement and the number of openly gay, lesbian or bisexual employees at senior levels within the organisation.

Partner and co-chair of Hogan Lovells’ London network James McDonald said the firm was thrilled with its top-50 ranking, 10 places higher than the previous year. The firm established an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) network in London in 2007, which McDonald said has gone from strength to strength.

‘With the considerable support of others within the firm, the network continues to make a significant contribution to Hogan Lovells’ commitment to progressing equality initiatives as part of our strategy to create and maintain an inclusive working environment for our people,’ he said.

Eversheds diversity partner Cornelius Medvei said the firm’s ranking is a ‘huge and highly regarded achievement’, especially because the criteria have become more challenging for this year.

‘The index is universally recognised as the UK’s benchmark for LGB equality in the workplace and our placement is testament to all progress that has been made in improving diversity at Eversheds.’

See the full table and report.