SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA –– Klinedinst PC is proud to announce that the firm has achieved the Mid-Size Mansfield Certification for 2023-2024. This marks the second year that the firm has been recognized by Diversity Lab, and recognized the work the firm has done to ensure equity and consistency in advancement across all seven offices.
The Mansfield Certification is named after Arabella Mansfield, who was the first female lawyer in the United States. Mansfield took the Iowa bar exam and scored high marks; however, the State of Iowa permitted only male candidates to sit for the bar exam. Mansfield challenged the males-only law in court and won her case, resulting in Iowa becoming the first state in the union to admit women and minorities to the practice of law in 1869.
In recognition of Ms. Mansfield’s achievement, 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.
The Mansfield Certification by Diversity Lab is a structured process backed by behavioral science. The entire process is designed to boost inclusivity, access, and diversity in leadership at every step. It encourages law firm management to make decisions in selecting future leaders by considering a broad pipeline of talent, including lawyers who are historically underrepresented in law. The same inclusive decision-making process is also encouraged when assembling client-centric service teams.
The Mansfield Rule program is designed to not exclude anyone, but instead expand the pool of lawyers to include additional qualified talent. According to Diversity Lab, recent studies, including the data analysis published in The American Lawyer and the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Advancing Diversity Report, praise Mansfield for its effective and lawful method for enhancing transparency and diversity in leadership.
“I am so impressed and proud of Klinedinst PC’s willingness and enthusiasm about Mansfield certification. The process is a huge commitment but our team has taken it on with passion and dedication to our core values,” said DEIB Committee Co-Chair Teresa Beck.
Klinedinst thanks Diversity Lab for building a collaborative platform for law firms to become Mansfield Certified, and looks forward to continuing its participation in the Mansfield Rule program for the 2024-2025 cycle. Learn more by downloading the official announcement from Diversity Lab. To learn more about Klinedinst’s efforts in improving diversity, please visit:
About Klinedinst
Klinedinst PC is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation and trial experience, sophisticated transactional advice, and other solution-oriented legal counsel. Providing legal services across the West, our attorneys are dedicated to fostering trusted relationships with each and every client, to help them achieve their individual goals and objectives. Klinedinst lawyers strive to serve as true business partners, always at the ready to address the legal challenges that business are confronted with every day. Whether in court, at the board meeting, or otherwise, KPC is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.