McGrath North Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus for its Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
McGrath North proudly announces its achievement of Mansfield Certification Plus from Diversity Lab. The firm has demonstrated its continued commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the legal industry by surpassing the Mansfield Rule requirement and tracking and measuring diverse representation across all levels of the firm.
Mansfield Certification Plus is an additional recognition to the Mansfield Certification. It is granted to law firms that not only meet or exceed the baseline requirements but also show their efforts in enhancing diverse representation of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and attorneys with disabilities at the firm. Additionally, the firm has implemented programs and initiatives that encourage mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, unconscious bias training, and other professional development programs aimed at fostering an inclusive work environment. By achieving this certification, McGrath North joins an exclusive group of law firms that are leaders in the legal industry when it comes to DEI.
"Promoting diversity and inclusion in our firm and the broader legal industry is a core value of McGrath North," said Abbey Moland, Chair of the firm's DEI Committee. "Achieving Mansfield Certification Plus is a testament to our ongoing efforts to build a diverse and inclusive firm culture where all our attorneys and staff feel valued, respected, and supported. This certification also affirms our ongoing commitment to driving positive change in our industry and creating a more equitable future."
The Mansfield Rule, named after the first female lawyer in the United States, Belva Lockwood Mansfield, measures law firms' efforts to boost diversity in leadership positions by requiring firms to consider at least 30% diverse lawyers for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, and lateral hiring opportunities. The program has expanded to include other identities such as women, attorneys with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ lawyers.
The Diversity Lab's Mansfield Rule certification is one of the legal industry's most sought-after recognitions for law firms' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It aims to spur law firms to take a critical look at their internal practices, address issues that may be hindering diversity, and ultimately increase diversity in leadership roles.
