Jackson Walker proudly announces the Firm’s participation in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process beginning July 15, 2021. Designed to improve diversity within law firm and legal department leadership, the Mansfield Rule has become the standard for firms to track and measure their success in growing the racial and ethnic diversity of their management committees, promoting attorneys from underrepresented communities to partnership, and ensuring diverse representation in client pitch meetings.

This year, the Mansfield 5.0 process requires participating firms to:

• track candidate pools in a disaggregated manner;
• submit to Chambers USA nominations for at least 30% underrepresented attorneys to increase external visibility; and
• consider 30% underrepresented individuals when hiring and promoting C-level or other senior-level professional staff roles.

“Over the past few years, Jackson Walker has made great strides in the work that we’re doing to diversify leadership, bring in new attorneys who come from underrepresented communities, and increase their visibility among clients and the overall legal community,” said Suzan Kedron, who chairs the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “With our participation in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification process, we are continuing our commitment to help grow the diversity of the Firm and the legal profession.”

“Over the past few years, Jackson Walker has made great strides in the work that we’re doing to diversify leadership, bring in new attorneys who come from underrepresented communities, and increase their visibility among clients and the overall legal community.”

Last year, the Firm established four key areas to affirm our commitments to support the growth and advancement of our diverse attorneys. These “Pillars of Success”—Cultural Awareness & Human Resources; Recruiting; Professional Development, Advancement, and Retention; and Marketing & Business Development—relate to our focus on creating a culture of inclusion, seeking future partners who reflect the diversity of our clients and communities, developing and advancing our next generation of leaders, and bringing positive change to our communities.

The Mansfield Rule was launched by Diversity Lab in 2017. According to their news release, all firms that meet or exceed the required certification parameters, which are measured twice every year through a data collection process and structured check-ins, are provided with an opportunity to send their newly promoted underrepresented partners to Client Forums to meet influential legal department leaders.

For more information about the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification, view the Diversity Lab website. Also, to explore the Firm’s commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all, visit our Diversity & Inclusion page or view our 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Report.