In recent years, the push for more diversity in legal leadership has seen a heightened focus, a mission expedited by Diversity Lab’s “Mansfield Rule” Certification process. This process aims to not merely enhance diversity but also to maintain it within the sphere of the legal profession. Despite the extensive search for diverse candidates in open positions at our firm, a process we had already kept track of before the advent of the Mansfield Rule, the certification process warranted our consideration.
The decision to take concrete steps and actively pursue the certification surfaced in the fall of 2021, when our firm signed up to join the second batch of the Midsize Mansfield program.
For those unacquainted with the Mansfield Rule, it’s worth noting that it mandates “at least 30% of the candidate pool for promotions, senior level hiring, and significant leadership roles in the firm (including equity partner and influential committee roles) are from historically underrepresented groups.” This rule was established with a keen intent to disrupt the traditional mode of operation in legal firms and instead cultivate a culture of diversity that stretches far beyond simply ticking boxes.
While it may seem like the primary motive for joining the Midsize Mansfield program was to cement our firm’s reputation as an advocate for diversity, it was much more than a mere strategic move. Through the pursuit of Mansfield Certification, we saw an opportunity to perpetuate a positive change within the legal industry. While it required us to engage in a more rigorous tracking and monitoring of our recruitment and promotion processes, the long term benefits were compelling and justified the investment and effort.
As a reflection upon this journey towards Mansfield Certification, we have gained a broader perspective of the significant strides the legal profession must take towards diversity and inclusivity. The journey has also brought to light the magnitude of these collective efforts and how they can reshape the industry’s landscape. Further, this commitment to diversity allowed our firm to stand out within the Midsize Mansfield program and garner respect and esteem from our peers.
We firmly believe that taking the necessary steps towards obtaining the Mansfield Certification not only benefits us but contributes to the larger legal industry’s endeavor toward recognizing and promoting underrepresented talent.