B&D Again Achieves Mansfield Rule Plus Certification for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Beveridge & Diamond is proud to announce that we have achieved Mansfield Rule Plus Certification for the fourth consecutive year. This certification indicates that over the period July 2021 to July 2022 our firm considered women, LGBTQ+, minorities, and lawyers with disabilities for at least 30% of all significant leadership roles, lateral recruiting (4th year associates and above), and business development opportunities. The “Plus” status signifies that B&D exceeded the baseline certification requirements – not only considering but achieving 30% representation in those categories. B&D has participated in the Mansfield Rule initiative since 2019.
“We are thrilled to achieve Mansfield Plus certification for the fourth year in a row. We strive to excel in promoting equity and inclusion in our workplace and the broader legal profession,” said Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee Chair Stacey Halliday (Washington, DC). “Our participation in the Mansfield Rule initiative also reminds us of the work needed to ensure a more equitable profession and society at large. B&D constantly seeks ways to lead and collaborate on DE&I initiatives.”
"DE&I are core values and business imperatives for B&D. Our participation in the Mansfield Rule initiative has enabled us to take our foundation of leadership on DE&I to new levels, facilitating the development of new and stronger programs and processes, connecting us with like-minded corporate counsel, and helping us to thoroughly track our progress over the years. We plan to continue our contributions to DE&I in the legal profession and fostering an inclusive workplace for all,” said Kathy Szmuszkovicz (Washington, DC), B&D's Firmwide Managing Principal.
Highlights of B&D’s DE&I outcomes include:
- 36% of our principals are women (compared to the national average of 25%);
- 63% of our lawyers are from historically underrepresented communities (includes women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals);
- 91% of the lawyers who joined the firm in 2021 are from historically underrepresented communities;
- 48% of practice area leaders, and 61% of participants in new business proposals are from historically underrepresented communities;
- 50% of the lawyers on the firm’s management committee are from historically underrepresented communities
B&D has already begun participating in the Mansfield Rule 6.0 initiative that began in July 2022.
The firm participates in several DE&I efforts in addition to the Mansfield Rule. Organizations such as the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, and the National Association of Women Lawyers have consistently recognized us for our leadership.
Learn more about our diversity and inclusion efforts and accomplishments.
