October 18, 2022
Willkie has earned 2022 Mansfield Certification Plus from Diversity Lab for its success in building a diverse leadership, highlighting the Firm’s effective, long-term focus on recruiting, developing and promoting diverse attorneys.
“We are proud to join the Mansfield Rule initiative to further the mission of boosting diversity in leadership,” Chairman Thomas Cerabino said. “Reflecting our longstanding commitment to DEI at Willkie, our goal is to be even more intentional in diversifying our ranks and to engage in collaborative efforts within the industry to achieve the same.”
The Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Willkie’s Mansfield Certification Plus status means that, besides 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.
Diversity Lab noted that Willkie’s accreditation in the “increasingly challenging” Certification Plus category places it among the law firms that have surpassed industry benchmarks and “achieved diversity in leadership, not just considered it.”
In addition, Willkie is among the Mansfield 5.0 Certified law firms that signed an open letter affirming their commitment to cultivating diversity at the leadership level.
Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. The Mansfield Rule Certification, now in its fifth year, aims to bolster diversity in law firm leadership and strengthen the pipeline to leadership for diverse talent.
Read then open letter from the 2022 Mansfield 5.0 Certified Law Firm Leaders here.
