Stinson Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus Status for 2020

09.15.2020

Stinson LLP is proud to announce the firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status for 2020 after completing the 12-month certification program.

This certification requires firms to have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, lawyers of color, lawyers with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions, ensuring a broad candidate pool and talent pipeline.

“Plus” status indicates that, in addition to meeting or exceeding the pipeline consideration requirements for certification, Stinson successfully reached at least 30% diverse lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees.

"Diversity and inclusion are defining characteristics of our firm culture at Stinson," said Managing Partner Mark Hinderks, "and we are proud to participate in the Mansfield Certification process as an actionable step toward a more inclusive profession. We know that creating and supporting a diverse and welcoming culture makes us a better law firm for our attorneys and staff, and especially our clients, all of whom we are committed to and value deeply."

The 12-month program requires participating firms to track and analyze talent pipelines and hiring practices to ensure diverse attorneys are given opportunities to develop leadership skills and are considered for promotions and open positions.

"Stinson has a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, diverse leadership and development," said Stinson's Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Ann Jenrette-Thomas. "We are thrilled to be a Mansfield Certified Plus firm and participate in the certification process because it ensures that we are advancing diverse lawyers, including and amplifying their voices in leadership roles. Participating in the Mansfield Certification process allows us to gather data that will help us to continue diversifying our leadership ranks at Stinson."

The Mansfield Rule is named for Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States 150 years ago and created by Diversity Lab, committed to boosting diversity in the legal profession.

This process builds on Stinson's continued commitment to diversity and inclusion. Most recently, Stinson was recognized by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum as a 2020 Gold Standard Firm. Stinson was also named as one of the best law firms for women by Working Mother, and received top marks in the Human Rights Campaign's 2020 Corporate Equality Index.