Reinhart to begin Mansfield Rule 5.0 diversity certification

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Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren is set to begin a national certification program to increase diversity among the firm’s leaders.

A firm spokesperson on Tuesday announced that Reinhart will take part in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification, which will start on July 15. The firm is one of more than 160 large law firms participating in the program. Another local adopter is Quarles & Brady, which is also starting the certification process on July 15.

The Mansfield Rule requires law firms to track and measure that they have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, lawyers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities and LGBTQ+ lawyers for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings. Data from the Mansfield Rule indicate that firms piloting the program have increased the racial and ethnic diversity of their management committees by 30 times the rate of non-Mansfield Rule firms.

Jessica Hutson Polakowski, board member and one of the chairs of Reinhart’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, said advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts is imperative to the success of the firm and its clients. She believes participation in the Mansfield Rule will allow the firm to track and communicate its progress toward that goal.

Reinhart is business-oriented law firm with nine offices around the U.S., including four in Wisconsin and two in Illinois. It employs more than 200 clients. Follow @WLJReporter