For the sixth year in a row, Holland & Knight has achieved "Mansfield Certified" status awarded by Diversity Lab, an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. The Mansfield Rule initiative aims to ensure all talent at participating law firms has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership. Mansfield is focused on broadening the talent pool for consideration, including those historically underrepresented in the legal profession, to facilitate transparent pathways to leadership.
Holland & Knight is part of a cohort of 350 midsize and large firms that have committed to the Mansfield Rule initiative for 2023-2024. To achieve certification, these firms have implemented a behavioral science and data-driven approach – designed by talent experts, data scientists and lawyers – to help increase diversity in leadership. Focused on opening the door wider and ensuring that opportunities are inclusive, certified firms considered broad slates of qualified talent for leadership roles that included at least 30 percent historically underrepresented lawyers – such as women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities.
Mansfield's methodology, which has proven to build more diverse leadership teams, is rooted in changes to systems and processes, not exclusivity or discrimination. Mansfield ensures that opportunities for advancement are inclusive by broadening talent pools instead of instilling quotas, set-asides or requirements unrelated to an individual's qualifications.
"This recognition reflects our firm's continuing efforts to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion remain at the forefront of our 'business as usual' practices," said Judy Nemsick, national chair of Holland & Knight's Women's Initiative. "We are grateful for Diversity Lab's leadership in the industry. Its methodology provides a valuable framework for our firm to maintain and enhance an inclusive firm culture."
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