Adams and Reese is pleased to announce it has achieved the 2022-23 Mansfield Certification. This is the firm’s second consecutive year to be recognized for meeting the national standard of widening the leadership talent pool by increasing inclusivity and diversity in leadership.
“We are proud to earn Mansfield Certification for the second consecutive year. This recognizes our commitment to ensuring that leadership opportunities and advancement at all levels in our firm are made available to everyone, including those historically underrepresented in the legal profession,” said Gif Thornton, Adams and Reese Managing Partner. “Diverse leadership and an inclusive culture foster better vision-casting and decision-making.”
Mansfield Certification, awarded by Diversity Lab, measures the structural changes and steps law firms have taken to ensure paths to leadership are open and transparent to their lawyers. Law firms must complete a year-long process, reporting their data processes in place to demonstrate they have considered all qualified talent for leadership roles. The requirement includes at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers.
“This collaborative effort among law firms to continue to expand leadership opportunities to underrepresented populations remains critical to our legal profession,” said Clarence Wilbon, Adams and Reese Chair. After serving previously as DEI Chair, in 2023, Wilbon became the first African American to be elected Chair of the Executive Committee in Adams and Reese history. “We are proud of the progress we have made at Adams and Reese. We look forward to even more progress, as the Mansfield framework helps us take a structured and data-driven approach to inclusivity within leadership advancement.”
The Mansfield Certification adds to several honors Adams and Reese has received in 2023 for its DEI results. Adams and Reese was one of two law firms in the Southeast honored with the ALM “Diversity Initiative” Award. In addition, Adams and Reese earned the Minority Corporate Counsel Association Approved SILVER Seal, recognizing law firms for establishing sustainable DEI strategies and achieving actionable solutions.
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.
“Through many initiatives implemented by our Executive Committee, our DEI Committee, and firm management, our law firm has made a concentrated effort to ensure Adams and Reese is a place where everyone can thrive and advance. Mansfield’s accountability standards only enhance those efforts,” said B. Jeffrey Brooks, Adams and Reese DEI Committee Chair, Executive Committee Member, and Partner. “We continue to make strides to nurture rising stars across our firm.”
Learn more about Adams and Reese Diversity programs here.