Stoel Rives Signs On to Participate in the Mansfield Rule 2.0 Law Firm Certification Program
PORTLAND, Ore. – Stoel Rives LLP is proud to announce its participation in the second year of the Mansfield Rule Law Certification Program, which measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered women, LGBTQ+, and minority lawyers – at least 30 percent of the candidate pool – for senior level lateral hiring, equity partner promotions, and significant leadership and governance roles in the firm. The second year of the certification program will also measure consideration for participation in client pitch meetings and request that participating law firms make their appointment and election processes transparent to all lawyers in their firms.
Jill L. King, Chief Talent Management Officer for Stoel Rives, serves as the talent lead/senior administrator in the firm’s efforts to meet and maintain the requirements of the Mansfield Rule through the firm’s talent management department, which is responsible for talent acquisition, professional development, and diversity and inclusion functions. Kelly Knivila, healthcare regulatory lawyer and partner of Stoel Rives, serves as the firm’s partner champion. Together, they will direct and oversee the certification process at the firm.
“Participating in the Mansfield Rule Law Firm Certification Program is a natural extension of our current diversity efforts,” said King. “At Stoel Rives, we believe that diversity and inclusion fosters innovation, creating a better workplace and excellent client service.”
The Mansfield Rule, named for Arabella Mansfield, the first woman lawyer in the United States, aims to emphasize the importance of offering leadership positions to women and minorities in the legal atmosphere. It also measures these groups’ participation in day-to-day decision making and operation of the firm, highlighting the advancements and success of women and minorities in law. The impact of this rule consists of an increase in diversity awareness for big law firms, as 95 percent of these firms began expanding the pool of diverse candidates for leadership positions since the certification began last year. In-house counsel will soon be able to search firms under “Mansfield Certified,” an honorable recognition.
Stoel Rives has long been recognized for its advancement of women lawyers to positions of leadership and ownership. In addition to the Mansfield Law Firm Certification, the firm is Gold Standard Certified by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF), a leading organization for women in law dedicated to assisting women in the largest law firms and corporate law departments in advancing their careers — through developing a sense of empowerment and becoming leaders.