PHILADELPHIA – Stradley Ronon is proud to announce it is participating in the industrywide Mansfield Rule hosted by Diversity Lab, joining other top law firms across the country to advance diversity at all levels and ensure a level playing field for the next generation of lawyers. As part of the firm’s initiatives, Stradley Ronon will consider at least 30% women, minorities, and LGBTQ lawyers for leadership and governance positions, senior associate and lateral partner openings, equity partnership promotions, pitch opportunities and more.

“It is essential now more than ever, to pledge our commitment to advancing our diverse attorneys and cultivating an inclusive environment for all – and Mansfield provides the framework to do just that,” said Brian Seaman, Diversity Committee Chair and Counsel at Stradley Ronon. “We know that measurable results can have positive outcomes, and together as a firm, we are committed to ensuring that all perspectives including every race, gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity can have a seat at the table.”

Inspired by the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which is designed to increase and encourage the number of minority coaches interviewed by teams for head coach vacancies, the Mansfield Rule promotes women and minorities into leadership positions within law firms or companies. The Mansfield Rule was named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to practice law in the U.S.

Under the Mansfield Rule, Diversity Lab will conduct a review of Stradley’s progress over the course of the year, confirm that it has met these goals, and qualify Stradley as “Mansfield-certified.” The certification period will run from July 2020 to July 2021.

The process of becoming Mansfield certified will be spearheaded by Stradley’s Diversity Committee. This Committee is charged with creating initiatives and programs designed to enhance the firm’s recruitment and retention of diverse attorneys and to ensure Stradley is a fully inclusive place. As part of the Committee’s ‘Diversity and Inclusion in Action’ efforts following the recent injustices against Black Americans, the firm has also launched steps to achieve racial justice, dismantle racists laws, policies and practices, and to diversifying law firm leadership to foster and sustain an inclusive workplace. Some of those actions include assembling an anti-racism task force, identifying and targeting pro bono legal matters to support, partnering with diverse organizations through financial resources and providing impactful training regarding systematic racism.

About Stradley Ronon
Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies – from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations – achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices in eight strategic locations, our responsive team of more than 200 attorneys seamlessly addresses the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.