Oct. 3, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, a national full-service law firm with offices from coast to coast, is pleased to announce the firm has once again earned Mansfield Certification from Diversity Lab for the 2023-24 period. Nelson Mullins is among more than 360 law firms to achieve this accomplishment this year. It marks the firm’s second consecutive year to earn this designation.
“Nelson Mullins is committed to the diversity objectives required by the Mansfield certification, and our involvement in the certification process over the past two years is another important example of our ongoing investment,” said Managing Partner James K. Lehman. “We are pleased to once again be among those with the Mansfield certification.”
Nelson Mullins participated in the rule 6.0 certification process, which ran from July 2023 to July 2024. The certification effort is focused on having law firms consider at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers when appointing to leadership and governance roles and promotions. Firms must also consider 30% underrepresented talent for C-suite roles. The firm plans to renew its efforts for the 2024–25 term, as well.
“We are pleased to once again achieve this significant milestone,” said Kat Taylor, Nelson Mullins’ Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We will continue to invest in our team to reflect the diversity of our clients and communities.”
Mansfield is a year-long structured certification process designed to ensure all qualified talent at participating law firms has a transparent, fair, and equal opportunity to be considered for advancement into leadership. The focus is on opening the door wider and ensuring that opportunities for advancement are inclusive for everyone. Mansfield broadens and expands opportunities; it doesn’t limit or decrease them.
Mansfield launched in 2017 with nearly 35 firms. Today, almost all of these inaugural firms are continuing to pursue certification, even as the parameters and requirements grow increasingly more challenging to implement. Data shows the firms which stay committed and accountable to the Mansfield Certification process year-over-year are making substantial progress in diversifying their leadership.
The firm has accomplished several things during the certification process. Advancement processes and leadership role descriptions at the firm are now written, transparent, and accessible. This high level of transparency is part of a larger effort the firm has taken through Mansfield to broaden the slate of talent considered for opportunities. Nelson Mullins undertook this effort alongside other top-tier firms and the legal departments which are also participating in Mansfield. Like the law firms in its cohort, Nelson Mullins is dedicated to opening the door wider to all qualified lawyers.
To learn more about the firm’s Mansfield participation, please contact Kat Taylor, Nelson Mullins’ Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals with offices across the United States. For more information, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.
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