Blank Rome Perspectives Magazine 2023 | Page 23

Mansfield Certification 5.0
For the fifth year in a row , our firm has achieved Mansfield Certification status after successfully completing Diversity Lab ’ s yearlong Mansfield Rule 5.0 program . Our firm was a pilot Shawn member M . of Wright the inaugural Mansfield Rule in 2017 . We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with Diversity Lab through our participation in Mansfield Rule 6.0 and serving as one of seven targeted consideration pilot firms that is modeled after the current Mansfield Rule : Legal Department Edition benchmarks . This pilot is focused on ensuring that underrepresented talent pools are truly diverse and not dominated by one particular demographic group .
To achieve Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification , participating law firms must have considered a broad slate of talent , including at least 30 percent underrepresented lawyers , when selecting for leadership positions ( lawyers and professionals ), hiring senior lateral associates and partners , promoting into the equity partnership , and staffing client pitch teams . Additionally , participating firms were also required to track their candidate pools in a disaggregated manner , measure the impact of the Mansfield Rule by each underrepresented group , consider at least 30 percent underrepresented lawyers for nominations to Chambers USA , and increase the external visibility of underrepresented lawyers . •
Expanded Diversity Scholar Program
Our Diversity Scholars
Program exemplifies our tangible commitment to the advancement of underrepresented law students and the achievement of a more diverse legal community .
In 2022 , we made enhancements to our overarching program including new program offerings , coaching , and a welcome retreat hosted in Philadelphia at the start of the summer . The firm received nearly 500 applications for our 2022 program , a 60 percent increase over the prior year .
Our summer 2023 program has a 100 percent retention rate , with all of our 2022 Scholars returning for a second summer .
One of our Diversity Scholars summer programs is our “ Coffee and Conversation ” series . This series of virtual conversations gives our Scholars the opportunity to gain exposure to different practice areas , the Big Law environment , and clients . During the summer , our Scholars met with our firm attorneys across several offices and practice groups , our chief operating and chief business development and marketing officers , and our director of strategic leadership ( who also happens to be a meditation and wellness coach ), as well as a few of our clients such as Exelon , Everlaw , and Bank of America .
Diverse students in their first year of law school may apply for the scholarship and our Summer Associate Program in Houston , Los Angeles , New York ,
Philadelphia , or Washington , D . C . Successful 1L Scholars are invited back for the next summer . In addition to earning a salary as a summer associate , the Scholar receives a $ 25,000 scholarship , paid in two installments for each year they participate , to apply towards second- and third-year education expenses . Every Scholar is paired with a Blank Rome partner and an associate , who serve as mentors for the duration of the program .•
10 • PERSPECTIVES