Firm Earns 2020 Mansfield Certification Plus Recognition

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has again been named a Mansfield Certified Plus firm for 2020. Mansfield Certification is tracked by Diversity Lab, which annually audits participating firms and measures whether they have effectively followed, complied and achieved the rule’s requirements. The Plus designation indicates that, in addition to meeting or exceeding the baseline requirements, these firms have successfully reached at least 30 percent diverse lawyer representation in a notable number of their leadership roles.

BCLP helped pilot the Mansfield 1.0 program in 2017 as an inaugural signatory and by pledging to follow the Mansfield Rule in considering candidates for firm leadership and governance roles. For Mansfield 3.0, which ran from July 2019 to July 2020, law firms were asked to consider at least 30 percent women, attorneys 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 Mansfield Rule is named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to practice law in the United States. The Mansfield Rule was inspired by the NFL’s “Rooney Rule,” named for former Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, which requires every NFL team to interview at least one minority candidate for head coach vacancies.

“We are proud that our firm has worked hard to continue implementing the Mansfield Rule this year as part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity,” said BCLP Co-Chairs Lisa Mayhew and Steve Baumer. “BCLP has committed to participate in Mansfield 4.0, which runs July 2020 through July 2021. Mansfield 4.0 has grown to engage 117 firms, and we are excited to see this expanded commitment to inclusion and diversity throughout the legal industry.”

Visit the Diversity Lab website to learn more about the Mansfield Rule.