Faegre Baker Daniels achieved Mansfield Certification and Certification Plus status from Diversity Lab after completing the inaugural, one-year Mansfield Rule pilot. 

The Mansfield Rule — inspired by the NFL’s Rooney Rule — aims to boost representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities. It measures whether law firms have considered at least 30 percent women and attorneys of color for certain leadership and governance roles, partner promotions and senior lateral positions. 

After the firm’s participation in the 2016 inaugural Women in Law Hackathon, FaegreBD was one of 44 firms to work with Diversity Lab and pilot the Mansfield Rule as part of the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Forty-one firms earned certification. Certification Plus indicates that the firm met Certification and achieved at least 30 percent women and minority lawyer representation in certain leadership roles.

Diversity Lab will provide FaegreBD and other certified firms exclusive opportunities for women, racially and ethnically diverse, and LBGT diverse partners admitted to the partnership in 2016 and 2017 to attend upcoming networking forums with in-house lawyers and to participate in small-group pitch meetings with in-house leaders and decision makers.

In addition to adopting the Mansfield Rule, FaegreBD implemented “On Track for Partnership” — an innovative team-driven and technology-supported sponsorship initiative designed to accelerate professional growth, promote career advancement, and unlock leadership opportunities for women lawyers and lawyers of color.