Adams and Reese has achieved the 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification, marking the third consecutive year the firm has met the national standard of widening the talent pool to increase diversity in leadership positions. Adams and Reese is recognized as a “Trendsetter” for law firms that have achieved Mansfield Certification between 2-4 years.
This year, Adams and Reese is one of more than 360 certified law firms – a record number and a 13% increase from the 320 firms certified the previous year. There are more than 80% AmLaw 200 firms certified by Mansfield, including Adams and Reese.
“We are honored to be recognized among a record number of law firms who are Mansfield certified,” said Clarence Wilbon, Adams and Reese Diversity Committee Chair and former Executive Committee Chair. “This is our third consecutive year to achieve this prestigious certification. We continue to value this valuable, data-driven process that upholds accountability and transparency in opening the door to everyone for leadership opportunities in our profession.”
Powered by Diversity Lab, Mansfield is a year-long structured certification process designed to ensure all qualified talent at law firms have a fair and equal opportunity to be considered for advancement into leadership roles. These leadership opportunities include client pitch teams, lateral partner hires, equity partner promotions, practice group leaders, management positions, and firm-wide committee appointments.
There are several benchmark requirements that all law firms must meet and/or exceed in earning Mansfield Certification, including:
- Broadening the pool of talent considered for leadership roles and activities, with at least 30% of the lawyers considered consisting of underrepresented lawyers across 75% of opportunities.
- Drafting and making advancement processes and leadership role descriptions transparent and accessible to all lawyers.
- Submitting certification data, transparent processes, and a signed affirmation from the managing partner at the end of each certification year.
- Contributing to monthly group knowledge-sharing meetings and attending expert-led legal workshops to ensure the lawful implementation of Mansfield’s principles.
Adams and Reese has already reaffirmed its commitment to Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Certification Process for 2024–2025. Read about our renewed commitment.
Since its founding in 1951, Adams and Reese has benefited from diverse leadership in a variety of capacities, including Executive Committee members, Practice Group Leaders, Partners in Charge, and client and practice team leaders. Since 2008, Adams and Reese has been listed among the Top 200 Law Firms in Diversity on the American Lawyer Media Diversity Scorecard.
The Mansfield Certification adds to several honors and achievements earned by Adams and Reese in its diversity efforts, including the Southeast Diversity Initiative award from ALM/Law.com; “SILVER Seal” by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association; and the “Outstanding Diversity Champion” by the Houston Business Journal, to name a few.
Adams and Reese is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and general counsel of major corporations or law firm managing partners. Within the LCLD, rising Adams and Reese attorneys participate in the Fellows and Pathfinders programs, connecting attorneys with leading general counsel, managing partners, and their peers for mentoring and career guidance.
Adams and Reese is a member of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), a networking advisory coalition of more than 250 law firms and corporations advancing diversity, by championing the hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse attorneys. Adams and Reese attorneys also participate in the AdvanceLaw Diversity Mentorship Program.
Adams and Reese prides itself on mentorship and advancement programs within the firm, including AR ARROW (Advancement, Recruitment, and Retention of Women), Diverse Attorney Advancement and Promotion (DAAP), and an annual Diversity Summit.
Learn more about Adams and Reese Diversity programs.