The firm is ranked at number four in LGBT charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list, which recognises a dozen other law firms across the UK who have demonstrated their commitment to LGBT equality.

Paul Gillen, partner at Pinsent Masons in Belfast, said: “Pinsent Masons is humbled and delighted to have retained our position as Stonewall’s Top Northern Ireland Employer.

“In only the second year of this award in Northern Ireland, so many organisations have already demonstrated the great strides they have made as part of their dedication to achieving LGBT+ inclusivity.

“Pinsent Masons has long been committed to promoting progress and championing change, we do not seek inclusivity as a destination but as a continuous journey building on and growing our success.

“We are so proud to have played an active role in what has been a ground-breaking year for LGBT+ equality in Northern Ireland, and it is an honour to work in collaboration with other businesses on LGBT+ inclusivity, including promoting the case for marriage equality.

“I look forward to the future working with Stonewall and other businesses as we all continue to share experiences and build on the progress we have made so far.”

Baker McKenzie, which employs over 450 people in Belfast, has risen by six places since last year to be ranked at number four on this year’s list.

Allen & Overy, which employs over 115 legal professionals and lawyers at its Legal Services Centre (LSC) in Belfast, has climbed 15 places to be ranked at number 22.

A&O senior partner Wim Dejonghe said: “We are very proud of the progress we are making in supporting and celebrating LGBT+ inclusion. For our efforts to be recognised in this way shows that the changes we are making are having a real impact.

“Our aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity at A&O, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and thrive in our environment and we remain committed to that goal.”

DWF, which employs 90 people in Belfast and has a further 60 in Dublin, has moved up 29 places to be ranked at number 30, and has also won Stonewall’s Bi-Inclusive Employer of the Year Award.

Stephen Miles, CEO for commercial services and executive sponsor for LGBT+ inclusion at DWF, said: “We’re proud of the work our LGBT network has done in partnership with the wider organisation, ensuring that all of our policies and processes are bi inclusive, and to improve bi visibility internally.

“Over the past year, we celebrated Bi Visibility Day, profiled bi role models across the business to create opportunities to tell their stories and equipped all our staff to challenge bi-phobic or bi-erasive behaviour, both in and outside of the office.”

Eversheds Sutherland, which opened a Belfast office in 2015 and now employs around 30 staff in the city, was ranked at number 35.