diversity, equity and inclusion

Thanks to an introduction by Janice Grubin, Ray McCabe and Bridget Steele of Barclay Damon LLP have been retained by the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) to review and update its corporate bylaws and the bylaws of its affiliated foundation, as well as to advise on related corporate governance issues. The firm was able to leverage its Upstate New York platform and rate structure to provide a “lo bono” bid to LeGaL that beat out a bid from a major downstate firm prominent in representing not-for-profits. While securing fees comparable to standard upstate rates, the engagement allows the firm to assist a leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy whose impact on the LGBTQ+ community, judicial, and legislative circles and beyond far exceeds the size of its almost 500-member organization.

Elaine Anastasia and Cindy Brennan of Rubin and Rudman in Boston, each completed courses to engage in the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Anastasia, the firm’s executive director, completed the Association of Legal Administrators’ DEI&B and Harassment Prevention workshop. Brennan, Rubin and Rudman’s director of marketing, business development and attorney recruitment, completed the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Transformational DEI Certificate Program to engage in the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In partnership with Diversity Workplace Consulting Group, this six-week program aims to increase fluency in DEI concepts and equip participants with actionable tools to take back to their workplaces.

Hanson Bridgett LLP, Hinckley Allen, Roetzel & Andress Participate in the Mansfield Rule Certification Program

Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco announces its participation in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 certification process. The firm signed on in 2020 for the Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule diversity in law leadership initiative. After diligently approaching the Mansfield Rule’s 4.0 certification for the first time this past year, the firm will continue its participation in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 certification process this upcoming year, which includes newly raised standards that must be met. Hanson Bridgett has long considered diversity and inclusion as a core value of the firm and has remained dedicated to establishing a workforce that reflects the needs and interests of its clients, attorneys, staff, and community members. Since embarking on the firm-wide project in 2020, the firm has set up systems, established a position for a full-time chief diversity equity and inclusion officer, held mandatory bias and anti-racism trainings, and identified ways to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion standards in its hiring and retention goals and policies and promoting these essential social values in the legal community and beyond.

Hinckley Allen in Connecticut will be adopting the Mansfield Rule for mid-sized law firms. The Mansfield Rule, which is named after Arabella Mansfield (the first female lawyer in the United States) measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered historically under-represented candidates – women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and attorneys with disabilities – for recruiting, leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, and inclusion in formal pitches to clients. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these roles and opportunities. In 2021, more than 160 law firms, including many in the AmLaw 200, will be participating in the Mansfield Rule program. Hinckley Allen’s 18-month certification program runs from September 15, 2021, to March 14, 2023. For more information about the Mansfield Rule Certification program, please visit the Diversity Lab’s website.

Roetzel & Andress is participating in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process as part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. Roetzel is one of 160 large law firms in the United States and Canada participating in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Process. “Diversity and inclusion are critically important to our organizational success,” said Roetzel Chairman Bob Blackham. “A diverse and inclusive team will not only make us a stronger firm, but it will help us create real change in our quest for inclusivity. We are proud to seek Mansfield Rule Certification and we firmly believe Roetzel should reflect the diverse communities we serve.” Diversity Lab works with participating firms to measure their outcomes annually and, based on those outcomes, redefines the Mansfield Rule program to ensure that the goal of diversifying firm leadership progresses as inclusively and impactfully as possible.