National law firm Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce it has achieved the Mansfield Certification Plus designation for the sixth consecutive year.
To achieve Mansfield Certification, law firms must have implemented a behavioral science and data-driven approach—designed by talent experts, data scientists, and lawyers—to help increase diversity in leadership. Focused on opening the door wider and ensuring that opportunities are inclusive, certified firms are to have considered broad slates of qualified talent for leadership roles that included at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers—such as women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities. In addition, as part of the Certification process, these firms have worked hard to enhance transparency related to leadership roles, advancement processes, and compensation policies.
Husch Blackwell was awarded a “Plus” distinction for the sixth year in a row indicating that—in addition to meeting or exceeding the baseline certification requirements—the firm has successfully reached at least 30% underrepresented lawyer representation in a notable number of their current leadership roles.
Mansfield is a year-long structured certification process designed to ensure all qualified talent at participating law firms have a fair and equal opportunity to be considered for advancement into leadership roles. Diversity Lab launched the program, named for Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to practice law in the United States in 1869, in 2017.