Crowell & Moring Commits to Mansfield Rule 2.0 to Improve Diversity in Leadership

Washington – September 5, 2018: Crowell & Moring is pleased to announce that it is participating in the Diversity Lab’s “Mansfield Rule 2.0” certification program. The program mandates that law firms affirmatively consider more women, minority, and LGBTQ+ lawyers for recruitment and advancement. Firms that meet the Mansfield standard have candidate pools for firm leadership roles, partner promotions, and lateral hiring that are at least 30 percent women, minorities, and LGBTQ+.

“We are committed to advancing diversity and inclusiveness at Crowell & Moring. Essential to that effort is ensuring that opportunities for women and minorities to pursue advancement and leadership are real and meaningful,” said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. “That’s why we are proud to embrace the principles of the Mansfield Rule.”

The Mansfield Rule is named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States, and it is inspired by the “Rooney Rule,” a mandate that requires every NFL team to interview at least one minority candidate for head coach vacancies. The Mansfield Rule was one of the winning ideas from the 2016 Women in Law Hackathon. The 1.0 version of the certification program – pertaining to women and minorities – was piloted from summer 2017 through mid-2018. Mansfield 2.0, launched in July, now includes LGBTQ+ lawyers.

Diversity Lab, an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law, stated that 40 percent of the 44 law firms that participated in Mansfield 1.0 reported increased diversity in their leadership ranks. In addition, 33 percent increased the number of women and diverse senior associates hired, and 38 percent increased the number of women and diverse lawyers promoted to partner.

Crowell & Moring is among 65 firms joining the Mansfield 2.0 pilot, which will run through July 2019. Participating firms are also tasked with tracking candidates considered for formal pitch meetings and developing position descriptions or appointment processes for 50 percent of their leadership roles. Firms that successfully implement this rule will gain formal certification, opening the door for their newly promoted women and diverse partners to attend forums with participating in-house legal departments.

Crowell & Moring proudly supports Mansfield Rule 2.0 and other efforts at disruptive innovation to achieve greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with more than 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, London, and Brussels.