Law firm remains committed to advancing inclusive practices and reporting measurable progress
KANSAS CITY (October 2, 2024) — Lathrop GPM is proud to announce that it earned Mansfield Certification for the third consecutive year and the elevated Plus distinction for the second time. Mansfield is a year-long structured certification process designed to ensure fair and equal opportunity for all lawyers to advance into leadership roles.
“A law firm is strongest when its leadership reflects diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” said Vanessa Vaughn West, Lathrop GPM’s Chief Culture, Diversity & Engagement Officer. “Mansfield Certification keeps us focused on ensuring that underrepresented voices in our industry are heard. We are proud to renew our commitment to fostering a truly inclusive legal profession for everyone each year.”
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 has been invaluable in helping us build the talent we need to succeed,” said Lathrop GPM Managing Partner Cameron Garrison. “With diverse leadership, we make more informed decisions that positively impact our team and clients. By committing to a transparent, data-driven process alongside other leading firms, we hold ourselves accountable and stay true to our core values of diversity and inclusion.”
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 a team that reflects the diversity of our workforce, clients and communities.
About Lathrop GPM LLP
Lathrop GPM is a full-service, Am Law 200 law firm with more than 360 attorneys and other legal professionals in 13 offices. Meeting the legal needs of businesses, organizations and high-net worth individuals, our attorneys provide a full spectrum of corporate legal services: corporate, tax and business transactions, labor, employment and franchise law, litigation, intellectual property, private client services, real estate, and trusts and estates. We help clients grow and succeed, anticipate trends, plan for challenges and bring their visions to life. Clients recognize Lathrop GPM for our commitment to client service, legal project management and innovative pricing capabilities. The firm is nationally recognized for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, with a Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Plus status and Top Performer and Compass Award Winner recognitions by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. A Multilaw and Employment Law Alliance affiliate, we have the resources of more than 90 independent law firms in 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.lathropgpm.com.