Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Increases Diversity and Inclusion Efforts with Mansfield Rule 5.0 Participation

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is one of more than 160 law firms located throughout the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom to participate in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 certification process.  Firms pursuing Mansfield Rule certification make a year-long pledge to meet certain benchmarks to ensure the firm considers at least 30% women, racially and ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQ lawyers for leadership roles and promotions.  Diversity Lab administers the certification and works with firms to measure outcomes. 

“Mansfield certification is the gold standard for law firms that are committed to increasing diversity among their lawyers and professional ranks, and in leadership roles,” said firm CEO Christopher L. Slaughter.  “Diversity Lab’s research shows that the Mansfield Rule is effective, and we intend to use it to make Steptoe & Johnson a more diverse workplace, to the benefit of our team members and clients across the country.”    

Michael E. Flowers, Steptoe & Johnson’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, added, “Our clients have made diversity and inclusion a crucial part of their business and they expect the same from their legal counsel.  As a firm, we have made great strides in our diversity and inclusion efforts and obtaining Mansfield certification is the next step in that journey.”

Firms seeking Mansfield 5.0 must meet additional criteria, including tracking candidate pool demographics to measure the Mansfield Rule’s impact, considering 30% diverse lawyers for the firm’s Chambers USA nominations, and considering 30% diverse individuals for hiring and promoting senior attorneys and executive staff. Studies show that increasing diversity in candidate pools results in greater diversity in the workplace.

About Diversity Lab

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law.  Experimental ideas are created through Hackathons and piloted in 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 new ideas and research, measure the results, and share the lessons learned. For more information, visit www.diversitylab.com.

About Steptoe & Johnson

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of know-how in the areas of business, labor and employment, and litigation.  Steptoe & Johnson has over 370 lawyers and other professionals practicing in 15 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.  Visit http://www.steptoe-johnson.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Ryan Daniels, Chief Marketing Officer, at (614) 456-1647 or by email: press@steptoe-johnson.com.