PHILADELPHIA, October 18, 2022—Duane Morris LLP has attained Mansfield 5.0 Certification Plus status. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership. Achieving 5.0 Plus status indicates that, in addition to meeting or exceeding the baseline requirements, the firm has successfully reached at least 30 percent diverse lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles.
The firm achieved Mansfield 4.0 Plus Certification in 2021. The Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process, which launched in July 2021, included new parameters for large firms that were intentionally broadened to include and measure compensation processes and other tracking elements. According to Diversity Lab, which created and oversees the Mansfield Rule certification process, these expanded, challenging parameters are intended to drive progress and boost diversity and inclusion in law.
“This is an important accomplishment for our firm, thanks to a very committed team of attorneys and staff who worked long and hard to bring about this impressive result for Duane Morris,” said Matthew A. Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Duane Morris. “Duane Morris will continue its longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in new ways and we are very proud of our work with Diversity Lab. Overall, our number of diverse colleagues in partner and leadership roles continues to increase. The firm attracts talented attorneys, and we are focused on making sure these lawyers have new and fulfilling work opportunities here.”
“Our ongoing work to attain and expand our Mansfield certifications illustrates not only the firm’s commitment but validates the high level of cultural fluency we have at Duane Morris,” added Joseph K. West, Duane Morris Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “Through our multifaceted efforts, we continue to develop and mentor diverse talent at Duane Morris as well as deliver value-added knowledge, services and support to clients seeking to strengthen their own organizations.”
Now entering its sixth year, the Mansfield Rule has become the standard by which law firms track and measure that they have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities and LGBTQ+ lawyers for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings. Since the Mansfield Rule’s launch five years ago, Diversity Lab has worked with participating law firms to annually measure the outcomes and iterate the program based on those outcomes to ensure they are moving toward the goal of diversifying firm leadership as inclusively and with as much impact as possible.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 800 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.