New York, New York (July 14, 2021) – Wilson Elser has announced that it is participating in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 certification process. The standard by which law firms measure their progress toward recruiting and retaining women lawyers, lawyers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities and LGBTQ+ lawyers is reflected in Mansfield Rule 5.0 certification. The one-year certification process, administered by Diversity Lab, launches on July 15, 2021. 

For more than 10 years, Wilson Elser's Diversity & Inclusion Committee has been committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Indeed, many firm policies originated as D&I Committee initiatives. Committee Chair and Baltimore Regional Managing Partner Angela Russell comments, "Seeking this certification is a critical next step for Wilson Elser to do its part in boosting the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers." She adds, "We're looking forward to participating in this process, becoming 'Mansfield-certified' and otherwise continuing to promote diversity and inclusion throughout our firm and broader industry." 

Wilson Elser joins 160 large law firms, including 48 firms new to this certification process. 

Most fundamentally, the Mansfield Rule requires consideration of at least 30 percent underrepresented individuals when hiring and promoting for C-level or other senior-level professional staff roles. This latest iteration, Mansfield Rule 5.0, will seek more detailed analyses of individual groups. 

Wilson Elser Chair Dan McMahon says, "Diversity & Inclusion is a firm foundational value that is critical to our success. Seeking this certification is an important part of Wilson Elser's ongoing efforts to mirror the diversity of our clients and of the communities in which we practice."

Read Diversity Lab's June 28, 2021, press release on Mansfield Rule participation.