DENVER (May 5, 2022) – Moye White LLP is pleased to announce it has achieved Mansfield Certification status for 2020-2022 as part of the inaugural class of midsize law firms. The Mansfield Rule certification initiative aims to boost the representation of women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and disabled lawyers in law firm ownership and leadership.
The firm first announced it was one of the 26 initial midsize law firms to participate in Mansfield Rule certification in September 2020. It has spent the past 18 months assessing diversity demographics in attorney hiring, firm governance, leadership, client pitches, and attorney promotions. The firm participated in monthly knowledge-sharing calls with other firms taking part in the Midsize Mansfield Rule initiative, where firms shared their efforts to dismantle barriers to diversity and inclusion goals.
The Midsize Mansfield Rule for law firms with fewer than 100 lawyers launched in September 2020. Like the original Mansfield Rule Certification Program, created and launched by Diversity Lab in 2017 and now in its fourth iteration, the Midsize Mansfield Rule is a program that measures if law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and attorney hiring.
The Midsize Mansfield Rule certification process has been fine-tuned to boost diversity in leadership for firms with smaller lawyer populations, single office locations, and leaner firm leadership structures. Since these now certified firms first piloted the Midsize Mansfield Rule, the initiative has grown substantially, with subsequent cohorts launching in September 2021 and March 2022. As of today, the Midsize Mansfield Rule has grown to over 140 law firms across the U.S. and Canada.
Participating in the Mansfield Rule is just one aspect of Moye White’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and adds accountability to its aspirations. The firm is now participating in its second certification period, starting March 15, 2022.