Taft Law has earned Mansfield Certification Plus status, as announced by business incubator Diversity Lab on Sept. 15.

Taft was one of 102 law firms to participate in the most recent Mansfield Rule Certification process.

Taft is proud to belong to a select group of firms to achieve Mansfield Certification Plus status. Firms earning this enhanced status met or exceeded the pipeline consideration requirements for Mansfield certification.

Robert J. Hicks, Taft chairman and managing partner, noted that “As evidenced by the composition and effectiveness of our leadership teams, Taft is highly focused on inclusion at all levels and has been, and continues to be, deeply committed to advancing all of our attorneys. Inclusion and equal opportunity are not just words to us. In every way, they are a complete mindset that is now a fundamental part of the firm’s DNA and an intangible hallmark and fabric of who we are as an organization.”

In 2018, Taft adopted a one-class partnership structure and initiated industry-leading practices to promote work-life balance, including 16 weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave for attorneys and staff. Taft focuses on internal cross-office collaboration to broaden to provide solutions on client matters. Taft is intentionally driving dialog to create an environment of belonging.

“Taft has an ongoing commitment to being the employer of choice in each of our markets,” stated Adrian D. Thompson, Taft’s chief inclusion and opportunity officer. “We embrace, value, and celebrate the many different ideas, viewpoints, and experiences that each of our team members contribute to make us stronger, both as individuals and as the go-to law firm in each of our markets. We believe our focus on inclusion will better serve our clients, help retain our talented team members, and attract and add varied top talent to our growing team.”

About the Mansfield Rule and Diversity Lab

The Mansfield Rule honors Arabella Mansfield, who, in 1869, became the first woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States.

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost inclusion in law. Experimental ideas are created through collaboration with more than 150 top law firms and legal departments across the country. Diversity Lab leverages data, behavioral science, design thinking, and technology to further develop and test the ideas, measure the results, and share the lessons learned. For more information, visit here.