The firm has been placed third overall in Australia in the annual Australian CRI results released on 29 May 2009. Its overall score in this year's Index was 94 per cent, up from 93 per cent last year when the firm first achieved its Gold ranking.

It has been recognised for "outstanding performance" in workplace management, community investment and corporate strategy.

The top five companies in order of performance were EnergyAustralia, Boral Ltd, Minter Ellison, ANZ and Foster's Group Ltd.

Minter Ellison's chief executive partner, John Weber, said the firm was honoured to be recognised amongst Australia's best exponents of corporate social responsibility.

"Minter Ellison has taken an holistic approach to corporate responsibility, creating a unique blend of pro bono, community partnerships and sustainability initiatives to support our 'good corporate citizen' credentials," he said.

"We began embedding corporate responsibility principles into our business planning more than half a decade ago because we recognised that if we failed to address issues such as social disadvantage and environmental management we would place at risk our ability to attract and retain the best people. Clients were also placing increased emphasis on the CSR credentials of their supply chain, including of their lawyers," Weber said.

Weber said the Index provides the firm with a framework to address the core areas of corporate responsibility, including community, environment, marketplace and workplace. 

"Looking ahead, our goal is to continue to improve our CSR performance, extending our community reach and engaging with both clients and suppliers to mutually improve our overall CSR performance and working relationships," Weber said.

At the announcement of the Corporate Responsibility Index awards, Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, noted that the true value of responsible business practice crystallises around effective reporting because it provides a mechanism that helps broader social, environmental and governance issues to be factored into business and investment decision making.