B&D Managing Principal Kathy Szmuszkovicz Quoted on Diversity & Inclusion Leadership as Mansfield Rule 4.0 Launches
On July 1, 2020, Diversity Lab launched Mansfield Rule 4.0, a partnership between Diversity Lab and more than 115 of the country's leading law firms (including Beveridge & Diamond (B&D)) committed to increasing and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce in our firms and beyond in the legal profession.
In an open letter from the participating firms' chairs and managing partners, B&D Managing Principal Kathy Szmuszkovicz commented on the role the Mansfield Rule initiative plays in the firm’s efforts to boost diverse attorney representation in significant leadership roles, lateral recruiting, and business development opportunities. Kathy stated, “Building on our firm’s track record of leadership on diversity and inclusion, our participation in the Mansfield Rule initiative has helped us develop new processes and more thoroughly document our progress. Among the results: diverse lawyers comprise 66% of our firmwide management committee, 48% of practice area leaders, and 46% of participants in new business proposals.”
B&D participated in the Mansfield Rule 2.0 and 3.0 initiatives, and achieved Mansfield 2.0-Plus Certification for 2019, indicating that we not only consider at least 30% women, LGBTQ+, and minority lawyers for significant leadership roles, lateral recruiting, and business development opportunities but also actually achieve 30% representation in those areas. Commenting on B&D's diversity and inclusion leadership, Nessa Coppinger, Co-Chair of B&D's Diversity & Inclusion Committee stated, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at B&D, and the results of our participation in the Mansfield Rule reflects those values. We are proud to continue working with our clients and colleagues to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.”
Law.com covered the Mansfield 4.0 launch in its article, "117 Firms Seek Certification in Latest Round of 'Mansfield Rule' Diversity Initiative," (subscription required.)
