Weil Brown’s commitment to diversity earns firm “Mansfield Rule Certification Plus” status for fifth consecutive year
Dedication to diversity drives firm’s continued commitment to systemic change, transparent leadership and advancement opportunities
Weil Brown is proud to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule Certification Plus status for the fifth consecutive year, reaffirming its dedication to fostering diverse and inclusive leadership within the legal industry. By meeting the rigorous standards of Mansfield Rule, the firm has successfully considered at least 30% of underrepresented lawyers for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, client pitch opportunities and lateral hiring. This includes women lawyers, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities. This prestigious recognition emphasizes Weil Brown’s unwavering commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in leadership roles across the firm.
“We are honored to continue participating in the Mansfield Rule initiative, which has become integral to how we build teams, make leadership decisions and ensure every voice is heard across the firm,” shared Bob Tannous, managing partner at Weil Brown. “The process has had a profound impact on our firm’s culture, and we remain committed to advancing diversity and inclusion at every level.”
Another year of progress
Weil Brown’s sustained participation in the Mansfield Rule certification reflects a deep commitment to transparency and accountability in promoting diverse talent to leadership roles. The firm’s success in the program underscores its dedication to achieving meaningful progress.
“The legal industry is evolving, and as more firms adopt the Mansfield Rule, we are witnessing real progress in advancing equity and inclusion,” noted Andrew Ali, partner and Chief Diversity Officer at Weil Brown. “Transforming the legal industry requires sustained and purposeful efforts to make meaningful progress over time.”
A collective effort towards change
Weil Brown first joined DiversityLab’s Mansfield Rule effort five years ago, becoming the first law firm headquartered in Ohio to participate. The firm has continued its involvement in subsequent certification rounds, each time committing to the evolving criteria that drive further progress in diversifying leadership across the legal industry.
The Mansfield Rule certification process is not just about turning over data and receiving a list of results — it’s about coming together as a legal community to share resources and experience, discuss best practices and offer support and guidance. True collaboration between law firms and legal departments ensures industry-wide improvement that benefits everyone, including our clients.
Collective, nationwide firm outcomes following the adoption of the Mansfield Rule include:
- Over 75% of the firms have significantly increased diversity in client pitch teams, lateral partner hires and equity partner promotions
- Firms with five or more years of Mansfield Certification have doubled the racial and ethnic diversity in their management committees
- Mansfield Certified firms lead the way with a 41% growth rate in underrepresented racial and ethnic equity partners, compared to just 16% at non-Mansfield firms
- The number of women equity partners at Mansfield Certified firms is growing at nearly three times the rate of non-Mansfield firms (20% vs. 7%)
“This milestone marks not only a significant achievement for our firm but also an important step for the broader legal community,” said Joyce Edelman, partner and founder of Weil Brown’s Women’s Leadership Initiative. “Clients and the next generation of lawyers are looking for more inclusive environments, and initiatives like the Mansfield Rule help ensure we’re meeting those expectations.”
As part of its ongoing participation, Weil Brown will continue to track and report on diversity metrics, engage in knowledge sharing with peers and adapt its processes to align with Mansfield Rule in the coming year.
Learn more about Weil Brown’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
