Stinson's Commitment to Equity & Inclusion Recognized with 2021 Mansfield 4.0 Certification Plus

09.13.2021

Stinson LLP proudly announces its certification under the Mansfield 4.0 Rule, the fourth round of certification under the Mansfield Rule, which focuses on diversity in leadership and helps create systemic change to foster long-term inclusion and equity in our workplaces. The certification recognizes firms that not only consider candidate pools made up of at least 30% women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities but have also achieved at least 30% representation in a substantial number of their leadership roles and committees.

“Stinson’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion strives to provide a positive and safe environment where each attorney and employee’s talent is fully used and honored,” said Ann Jenrette-Thomas, Stinson’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. “Attaining Mansfield’s 4.0 certification is another actionable step toward a more diverse profession. It takes everyone working together to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. There is still much work to be done, but I am proud of the progress we have made.”

Named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to practice law in the U.S. 151 years ago, the Mansfield Rule was one of the winning ideas from the 2016 Women in Law Hackathon competitions hosted by the Diversity Lab, in collaboration with Bloomberg Law and Stanford Law School.

“We recognize the hard work and dedication that you and others in your firm invested in this impressive result,” wrote Natalia Marulanda, Mansfield Rule Director for the Diversity Lab, in a letter to the firm. “We greatly appreciate your efforts and demonstrated commitment to moving the needle on diversity and inclusion.”

The Diversity Lab works with firms to measure outcomes annually. It uses this data to adjust the Mansfield Rule program and ensure that it is adapted as needed to meet its goal continuously.