Hahn Loeser is pleased to announce that it is one of 70 midsize firms across the country to achieve Mansfield™ Rule certification for midsize law firms. The honor follows completion of a rigorous 18-month collaboration with Diversity Lab — from September 15, 2021 through March 14, 2023 – to meet specific benchmarks to increase the representation of historically underrepresented attorneys in leadership roles throughout the firm.
The Mansfield™ Rule certification process for midsize firms measures whether law firms with approximately 25 to 150 lawyers have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women lawyers, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for lateral partner hires, leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, and formal client pitch opportunities.
“Hahn Loeser & Parks began in 1920 with a commitment to religious diversity. Our founding partners were among the first groups of Jewish and Catholic lawyers to join together to serve the legal needs of the Greater Cleveland community. The Firm recognized from its very start, that our differences, when combined, become great strengths,” stated Hahn Loeser CEO and Managing Partner Stanley R. Gorom III. “By creating and fostering diverse teams throughout our Firm, we know that we will be gaining the broadest possible points of views and ensuring the best outcomes for our clients,” Gorom added.”
The certification process was managed by partner E. Sean Medina, chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a group of 11 attorneys and staff members.
“I am very pleased, but not surprised, that the firm achieved Mansfield™ certification following our inaugural submission,” Said Medina. “We put together a team of dedicated individuals to collaborate on the Mansfield™ certification process and to collect and track critical data related to the firm’s efforts to increase the representation of historically underrepresented attorneys in leadership positions at Hahn Loeser. We also asked each attorney at the firm to assist in the process where appropriate. The result demonstrates our unified commitment to embrace and advance the principles of the Mansfield™ Rule within our firm and in the legal industry.”
The Mansfield™ Rule is named after trailblazer Arabella Mansfield, who became the first woman attorney in the U.S. in 1869. The goal of the Mansfield™ Rule is to increase representation of historically underrepresented attorneys in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities.
For more information about Hahn Loeser’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, click here.
About Diversity Lab
Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. Experimental ideas are created through its hackathons and piloted in collaboration with more than 300 top law firms and legal departments across the country. The organization leverages data, behavioral science, design thinking, and technology to further develop and test the ideas, measure the results, and share the lessons learned. Visit here for more information.