For the second year in a row, Varnum has achieved Mansfield Rule Certification, in furtherance of the firm’s commitment to providing an equitable advancement process to help diversify leadership within the firm.
Mansfield Certification, awarded by Diversity Lab, measures the structural changes and steps taken over the past year to ensure that paths to leadership – including lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions and appointments – are open and transparent to all qualified lawyers.
“Achieving this recognition underscores our commitment to providing unbiased development opportunities for all of our attorneys, including those who are historically underrepresented in law,” said Varnum Executive Partner Scott Hill. “We are proud to be part of the Mansfield community for the second year in a row.”
The year-long certification process includes tracking decisions about who is considered for appointments, elections, promotions and other critical activities to ensure that a broad pipeline of talent is considered. The process does not exclude anyone; it rather ensures that the talent pipeline includes additional qualified talent.
While the certification program is relatively new (first offered in 2017), research shows that the simple act of focusing on and tracking who is in the pipeline has had positive results.
“Over time, Mansfield-certified firms diversify their leadership and equity partnerships at rates that are significantly faster than non-Mansfield firms,” said Varnum DEI Committee Chair Luis Avila. “I’m proud that the firm has achieved certification once again and is committed to this process.”