USLAW member firms participate in Mansfield certification

When Diversity Lab first launched the Mansfield Rule pilot certification with 40+ large firms in 2017, the primary requirement was to consider at least 30 percent women lawyers and underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers for leadership roles. Versions 2.0 through 6.0 were steadily broadened each year to include LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities as well as critical pipeline activities (e.g., pitch teams, senior-level lateral hiring), transparent leadership role descriptions, and more.

Several USLAW member firms are participating in this initiative and have achieved 4.0 or 5.0 certification or are in the process of becoming certified in this ongoing initiative.

Large Firm 5.0 Designation (2021-2022)

• Connell Foley LLP
• Hanson Bridgett LLP
• Lewis Roca
• Roetzel & Andress LPA

Midsize Firm Cohort (9/21-3/23)

• Baird Holm LLP
• Hinckley Allen

Midsize Firm Cohort (3/22-9/23)

• Klinedinst PC

Neil V. Mody, co-chair of Connell Foley’s Diversity Committee and Chair of the Hiring Committee, shared: “We are extremely proud of this recognition. Our participation in the Mansfield process has helped us enhance our internal processes through vital conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, and how best to support our diverse lawyers.”

Hanson Bridgett LLP has achieved Diversity Lab’s Mansfield 5.0 Plus certification and has already committed to the Mansfield 6.0 certification process.  In September 2021, the firm announced that it had achieved Mansfield 4.0 Certification Plus status.

“Years before signing on to the Mansfield Rule, Hanson Bridgett adopted a policy for leadership positions which was spearheaded by our two of our internal committees: the Diversity & Inclusion Network and the Women’s Impact Network. The stated target of that leadership position policy was to meet or exceed the standards for becoming Mansfield Certified,” said Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Jennifer Martinez. “We are proud to have achieved the most recent iteration of the certification and are vigorously working on the next. We consider Mansfield Certification not as a ceiling, but as the new floor for diversity in leadership.”

As Hinckley Allen works toward this certification, it is dedicated to tracking the progress made, expanding the definition of what makes a good leader, crafting a transparent hiring process, and working together as a community to achieve this goal

“Hinckley Allen has made significant progress toward diversifying our workforce and the Mansfield Rule certification helps us hold ourselves accountable,” said Hinckley Allen Managing Partner Patrick A. Rogers. “We are committed to this work and we want to make sure that women, persons of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other historically underrepresented groups are getting a seat at the table.”

As part of its ongoing effort to further diversity and inclusion within the firm, Lewis Roca achieved Mansfield 5.0 Certification and committed to the Mansfield 6.0 certification process. This recognition confirms the firm’s commitment to ensuring a diverse group of colleagues are considered for leadership positions within the firm.

“Our participation in Mansfield 5.0 over the past year has resulted in thoughtful and intentional conversations throughout the firm, particularly among the firm’s leadership,” said Ken Van Winkle, managing partner of Lewis Roca.

Roetzel & Andress has received Mansfield 5.0 certification and is committed to maintaining its certification under the upcoming Mansfield 6.0 program, which includes an expanded set of criteria for 2022-2023, and fostering diversity within the firm and industry as a whole.

“We are tremendously proud of our recent Mansfield certification and the commitment to diversifying leadership at the firm that is represented by the achievement,” said Roetzel Chairman Robert E. Blackham. “We commend our industry peers and those who have committed to the multi-year, multi-disciplinary process needed to obtain, and maintain, this important certification, and look forward to strengthening the momentum behind the movement, together.”

To learn more about the Mansfield Rule, click here.