Making Progress

Every year, Kutak Rock focuses on training, community, and leadership to help promote a nurturing culture of inclusion at the firm. We proudly display our achievements and badges as a reflection of support for all of our employees and clients. We continue to move forward to effect meaningful and longstanding positive changes throughout the firm and our related communities.

U.S. News & World Report “Best Companies to Work For”

Kutak Rock was named one of the best law firms to work for in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms list. The firm was rated among other leading law firms on factors that analyze how individual firms meet the needs and expectations of their employees compared to their competitors, considering several factors including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance, job stability, physical and psychological comfort, belonging and opportunities for professional development within each organization.

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) awarded Kutak Rock LLP its highest score of 100 on its 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the eighth year in a row. The HRC CEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices impacting LGBTQ+ employees. Earning a score of 100 distinguishes Kutak Rock as a recipient of the “Equality 100 Award: Leaders in LGBTQ+ Inclusion” (formerly referred to as “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality”). Since opening in 1965, Kutak Rock’s culture has embraced equity and equality in the legal profession. The firm has reinforced its decades-long commitment to LGBTQ+ rights through its inclusive work environment, equal-opportunity policies, and the work of the firm’s Kutak Pride Affinity Group to provide networking, engagement and educational opportunities.

Law360 Ceiling Smasher

Law360 once again named Kutak Rock one of the best law firms for women partners in its latest Glass Ceiling Report. Viewed as a national benchmark for gender parity, the report named Kutak Rock a “Ceiling Smasher” for its outstanding record of promoting women attorneys to equity partnership. Kutak Rock’s equitable policies and effective internal systems create an equal-opportunity atmosphere that results in scores well above benchmarks and national averages in all areas related to women in leadership, including percentage of women serving on governance committees and as heads of offices. According to Ashley Dennis, co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative, “Kutak Rock hired its first woman attorney in 1972. By 1986, Kutak Rock earned recognition as having more women partners than any other law firm in the country. We take that legacy seriously and constantly look for ways to make sure women at the firm have every opportunity to attain equity partnership.”

ABA Pledge for Change

Disability Diversity in the Legal Profession Kutak Rock is a signatory on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights’ Pledge for Change. Although the firm sets no goals or quotas and does not have programs or groups exclusive to firm members with disabilities, Kutak Rock is and always has been supportive of creating a work environment where everyone may thrive, including those with various types of disabilities. In addition to an Individuals with Disabilities Affinity Group, which is also open to allies, the firm offers education and programming that includes disability awareness, etiquette, and support. Kutak Rock also seeks to meet and exceed accessibility standards both physically and digitally.

Mindful Business Charter

In 2024, Kutak Rock joined an international community of businesses and legal organizations dedicated to building healthier, more productive workplaces via the Mindful Business Charter (MBC). Begun in 2017 in London to address the causes of widespread mental distress among lawyers and legal professionals, the MBC is a framework consisting of four pillars: 1) openness and respect among colleagues 2) smart meetings and communication 3) respecting rest periods and time off and 4) mindful delegation. In the months since joining, delegates from Kutak Rock have attended numerous meetings with MBC leadership and members to discuss international efforts to promote healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

“Joining the Mindful Business Charter was a natural next step in our evolving efforts to not just acknowledge and treat the symptoms of the well-being challenges that are endemic to our profession—which are well-documented—but to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

- Firm Chair John Petr

ABA Well-Being Pledge

Kutak Rock is a signatory on the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge, which seeks to address and improve substance use and mental health issues among those in the legal profession. The goal is to break down the four barriers to obtaining mental health support: stigma, cost, awareness, and accessibility.

Bloomberg Law Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Framework

Kutak Rock has been named to Bloomberg Law’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Framework every year since its inception in November 2021 when we were one of only 28 U.S.-based law firms recognized for our level of disclosure of metrics and distinguished performance against six core pillars: demographics, leadership and talent pipeline, recruitment and retention, business innovation and strategy, marketing, and diversity & inclusion in the community. Of particular note, Kutak Rock consistently scores far above the average in Leadership & Talent Pipeline. Read more here.