KANSAS CITY, MO (September 2025) — Lathrop GPM is proud to announce that it earned Mansfield Certification for the fourth consecutive year and the elevated Plus distinction for the third time. Mansfield is a year-long structured certification process designed to ensure fair and equal opportunity for all lawyers to advance into leadership roles.
“Achieving Mansfield Certification for the fourth year in a row reflects our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable environment,” said Vanessa Vaughn West, Lathrop GPM’s Chief Culture, Diversity & Engagement Officer. “This process challenges us to be intentional in how we support diverse talent and ensure leadership opportunities are accessible to all.”
To achieve Mansfield Certification, law firms pledge to ensure the inclusion of underrepresented groups and to maintain transparency in their advancement processes by openly sharing job descriptions, expectations and promotional pathways. Firms also share insights about their inclusivity initiatives with peers in the industry. This certification process is overseen by DiversityLab, a team of talent experts, data scientists and behavioral science scholars dedicated to innovating processes and practices that foster more inclusive workplaces within the legal profession.
“Mansfield Certification continues to be a powerful tool for accountability and progress,” said Lathrop GPM Managing Partner Cameron Garrison. “It reinforces our belief that diverse leadership drives better outcomes – for our clients, our firm and our communities. We remain committed to fostering a culture where transparency, equity and opportunity are foundational to our success.”
This certification signifies that the Lathrop GPM has at least 30% women lawyers, lawyers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities and LGBTQ+ lawyers in top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings. Data has shown that the Mansfield Rule has helped law firms increase the racial and ethnic diversity of their management committees by 30 times the rate of non-Mansfield Rule firms.
Lathrop GPM is honored to continue participating in this program and remains committed to providing excellent service to our clients.