Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)

An Unwavering Commitment

Klinedinst PC is dedicated to the advancement of diverse groups in the communities we serve. An individual’s success at our firm is not determined by gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation. We recognize that our commitment to DEIB within our own firm enables us to shape the legal landscape, and to better understand and serve our clients’ perspectives and needs.

Mansfield Rule Certified 2023-2024

To accomplish those goals, Klinedinst has joined a select group of law firms and corporate legal departments by achieving Mid-Size Mansfield Certification. Named after Arabella Mansfield, the first female lawyer in the U.S., the Mansfield Rule was created to help law firms identify ways to expand talent opportunities and increase diversity in leadership roles within the legal profession. Powered by Diversity Lab, the Mansfield Rule verifies that law firms have affirmatively considered women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. 

To achieve Mansfield Rule Certification, firms must undergo an independent multi-step program that measures the structural changes and tangible steps firms have taken to ensure paths to leadership – including lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions, appointments, and more – are open and transparent to all qualified lawyers. Mansfield’s processes are all designed to ensure equal opportunity and access to leadership roles.

At Klinedinst, we work hard on recruiting, training, retaining, and promoting the very best personnel and attorneys from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Our efforts are designed to not exclude anyone, but instead expand the pool of lawyers to include additional qualified talent. Internally, we have a dynamic DEIB Committee that is introducing initiatives, collecting data, hosting DEIB-focused events, and reporting on progress the firm is making in reaching DEIB goals. All of these efforts are designed to support our core values of meritocracy, empowerment, work-life balance, and individual professional growth that have helped Klinedinst to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

Klinedinst PC understands that the development and promotion of DEIB is vital for any business. We firmly believe that it is critical for lawyers across the region to mirror the diverse makeup of the population, in order to best serve our clientele. The profession of law is rapidly changing, and our lawyers’ varied backgrounds and experiences help us grow, change, and adapt.

Our firm supports and encourages leadership in a variety national and community based organizations, such as:

  • Tom Homann LGBT Law Association
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Korean-American Bar Association of Southern California
  • Asian American Bar Association
  • Wiley Manuel Bar Association
  • Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego
  • Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego
  • Minority Bar Mixer
  • Lawyers Club of San Diego
  • Minority Corporate Counsel Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association
  • California Bar Foundation
  • Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC)
  • Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego
  • ChangeLawyers (formerly California Bar Foundation)
  • Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
  • Lambda Legal
  • Veterans Legal Institute

Building a diverse workforce and supporting underrepresented communities are not new initiatives for the firm. Klinedinst was an original signatory to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s 2005 Statement of Diversity Goals and Principles. Klinedinst encourages participation in organizations that promote diversity within the community, and actively supports organizations such as, but not limited to, California ChangeLawyers, the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Earl B. Gilliam Foundation. The firm has been recognized for its efforts in the past. In 2016, Klinedinst was awarded the Corporate Diversity Award from the Earl B. Gilliam Foundation for their continued efforts in promoting diversity in the legal and business communities.

Klinedinst attorneys have also been supporters and members of the Washington Initiative for Diversity, an equity and justice team which manages the Washington State Bar Association’s diversity, inclusion, pro bono, and public service programs. The efforts of this initiative support the work of the Access to Justice Board, Council on Public Defense, Diversity Committee and the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee. These are critical convocations which enhance access to services, and promote the advancement of equality in the legal community.

Klinedinst continues to improve diversity within the legal landscape, in part through support of Diversity Fellowship Programs hosted by the Sacramento County Bar Association and the San Diego County Bar Association. These Program provides an opportunity for first-year law students to learn and develop skills necessary to be successful in law firms and corporate legal department environments. Klinedinst has hosted and employed numerous Diversity Fellows, and is proud to help support the careers of diverse law students.

The firm never rests on accomplishments. To the contrary, Klinedinst is constantly evaluating and improving institutional diversity efforts, and has created and empowered a firm-wide Diversity Committee charged with:

  • Identifying, recommending, and creating opportunities to recruit and retain a representative workforce;
  • Promoting firm-wide participation in local and national community organizations;
  • Identifying areas of strengths and weakness within the firm’s overall diversity plan; and
  • Ensuring opportunities for personal career growth and advancement for all attorneys.

Diversity is an essential part of the firm’s fabric and core philosophy, and continues to be an integral part of our development as a firm. In 2020, Klinedinst released a Call to Action identifying the need as individuals, as a firm, and as a nation, to look ahead and to do more. To rise up and to seek equal opportunities for underrepresented communities, to ensure that Black-owned businesses have every chance to flourish and succeed, and to make sure that justice truly is served, regardless of color, nationality, or creed. The firm has continued to listen to concerns, and has taken concrete steps to ensure that action is taken.

Klinedinst recognizes that overcoming racial injustice requires respect, understanding, empathy, and action. The firm is listening, learning and actively working to bring meaningful change.

For any questions about the firm’s diversity efforts, please contact our Diversity Co-Chairs Natalie Vance and Teresa Beck.