Certification recognizes firm’s commitment to track, measure and achieve diversity in leadership
Barton Gilman is pleased to announce that the firm’s ongoing commitment to creating a culture of equity and inclusion has earned it Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus status from Diversity Lab, an organization working to support law firms’ efforts to expand diversity in law firm leadership. The certification recognizes the firm’s commitment to track, measure and achieve diversity by increasing transparency and broadening the slate of talent considered for internal leadership roles.
“As a firm, we are committed to prioritizing our DEI efforts and bringing them to the next level to create a truly inclusive workplace,” said Co-Managing Partner, Angela L. Carr. “Diversity Lab’s Mansfield program provides a critical structure to enhance diversity in law firms and offers a pathway to achieve a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. We are proud that we have created a firm that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve.”
Mansfield Certification is an 18-month process that measures whether midsize law firms have considered at least 30% women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitches, lateral lawyer hiring and more. Firms must also develop transparency in their advancement processes through written leadership role descriptions and clearly defined pathways to leadership. The Certification “Plus” status indicates that in addition to the consideration and transparency requirements, Barton Gilman successfully achieved 30% diverse representation in current leadership roles and pipeline activities.
“Our DEI initiative is a strong focus for our firm, but the opportunity to partner with Diversity Lab has enhanced our efforts with more intentional, measurable, and transparent processes that will serve the firm and, ultimately, our clients,” said Rui P. Alves, partner and a member of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. “We are honored to play a significant role in transforming the future of law firm leadership.”
Diversity Lab works with law firm participants to measure the outcomes and iterate the requirements to push boundaries every year. The structural elements of the certification process are key to this effort and include accountability through frequent check-ins with participants, data collection and reporting, participants’ ongoing collaboration through monthly group knowledge sharing forums and the transparency of public certification.
About Barton Gilman
Barton Gilman serves clients throughout the Northeast with offices in Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Milford, Connecticut, and Fairfield, New Jersey offering legal services in a wide variety of matters, including medical and other professional liability defense, premises liability and business litigation, education law, employment, family law, immigration, insurance coverage, trusts and estates, criminal defense, corporate formation and intellectual property. Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Barton Gilman has achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus status. The firm and its attorneys have received numerous awards and accolades, including Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Best Places to Work Rhode Island, Outstanding Philanthropic Business, Common Good Award, and Super Lawyers.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Maichle, Interim Marketing Director | melissa@essentiamarketingandpr.com
