V&E Seeks Mansfield Rule Certification to Promote Diversity in the Legal Profession

Inspired by a winning idea at Diversity Lab’s 2016 Women in Law Hackathon, the Mansfield Rule measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions.

The Rule is grounded in behavioral science, including the 30 percent requirement, which researchers have found is the “critical mass” necessary to disrupt biases. It also includes a certification process in which Diversity Lab conducts check-ins, data collection and monthly group knowledge sharing meetings in an effort to increase accountability.

“Recent events have highlighted systemic issues that must be addressed in order to build a more just and equitable society,” said V&E partner and management committee member Gillian Hobson. “Seeking this certification is one way that we can forge a meaningful path toward this goal.”

V&E is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and advancing diversity efforts not only through participation in the Mansfield Rule program, but also as a member of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), created to better use the law as a vehicle for change to promote racial equity, as well as through a number of pipeline and internal initiatives.

“We are honored to stand beside our peers in the Mansfield Rule program and LFAA,” said V&E Managing Partner Scott Wulfe. “Our participation in these programs represents a small, but important step in pursuit of long-term change.”

For more information on the Mansfield Rule program, please visit Diversity Lab’s website.