Boston, MA. For the third year in a row, Nixon Peabody has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus, recognizing the firm’s candidate pool for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions includes at least 30% women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and lawyers with disabilities—and also that the firm has achieved the 30% goal across the majority of categories.
The goal of the Mansfield Rule—awarded by legal industry incubator Diversity Lab—is to boost representation of diverse lawyers in firm leadership roles by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities. In driving increased diversity in leadership, the Mansfield Rule aims to help create the systemic changes necessary to foster long-term inclusion and equity in the legal profession.
“The ongoing fight against systemic racism has put an even brighter spotlight on the importance of diversity and inclusion, across all industries and professions,” said Andrew Glincher, Nixon Peabody CEO and managing partner. “Our firm is committed to doing the necessary, hard work to create a more diverse and inclusive organization.”
Of the 117 law firms to achieve Mansfield Certification in 2020, Nixon Peabody was part of a smaller group that received the “Plus” rating. In addition, Nixon Peabody was chosen earlier this year as one of a select group of law firms to pioneer Diversity Lab’s Move the Needle Fund (MTN), a collaborative effort among these firms, more than 25 general counsel, and community leaders to create effect positive change throughout the legal profession.
Mansfield Certification pays tribute to Arabella Mansfield—the first woman admitted in the United States to practice law—and was inspired by the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which saw minority representation in head-coach roles double in the years after its implementation.
Nixon Peabody has already signed up to participate in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield 4.0 initiative, running from July 2020 to July 2021.