September 15, 2021
Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP Adopts Diversity Lab’s Midsize Mansfield Rule
Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP is pleased to announce that the firm will participate in the 2021 – 2023 Midsize Mansfield Rule, an 18-month certification process administered by Diversity Lab. The Midsize Mansfield Rule intends to help close the gap in the legal profession by requiring participating law firms to affirmatively consider at least 30 percent women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.
“We are excited to partner with Diversity Lab as part of our ongoing commitment to building a firm of individuals as diverse as the communities and clients we serve,” said Monica Sullivan, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. “Since inception, women have constituted more than 50% of our attorneys, nearly half of whom are partners. We look forward to building on that success through the Midsize Mansfield Rule.”
Leena Soni, partner and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, added, “we understand that diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas enhance our ability to provide superior service and client representation and help generate better solutions to solve complex problems. Thus, we are looking forward to participating in the Midsize Mansfield Rule to document and assess diversity-related metrics, standardize processes, and increase transparency within the firm.”
Over the course of 18 months, from September 15, 2021, through March 14, 2023, the firm will partner with Diversity Lab to:
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 Diversity Lab’s 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.
“We are excited to partner with Diversity Lab as part of our ongoing commitment to building a firm of individuals as diverse as the communities and clients we serve,” said Monica Sullivan, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. “Since inception, women have constituted more than 50% of our attorneys, nearly half of whom are partners. We look forward to building on that success through the Midsize Mansfield Rule.”
Leena Soni, partner and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, added, “we understand that diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas enhance our ability to provide superior service and client representation and help generate better solutions to solve complex problems. Thus, we are looking forward to participating in the Midsize Mansfield Rule to document and assess diversity-related metrics, standardize processes, and increase transparency within the firm.”
Over the course of 18 months, from September 15, 2021, through March 14, 2023, the firm will partner with Diversity Lab to:
- Establish tracking and documentation norms;
- Force a broader field of consideration to expand firm leaders’ awareness of potential new leaders;
- Add transparency to historically opaque succession processes; and
- Work alongside 70+ other law firms to share knowledge and best practices.
- Consider at least 30 percent underrepresented lawyers for processes or opportunities such as:
- lawyer hiring searches and openings, including entry-level and lateral opportunities;
- promotion to partnership (equity or non-equity);
- election or appointment to internal leadership or governance roles such as managing partner, management/executive committee, practice group leader, partner promotions committee, and compensation committee; and
- formal client pitches and formal client meetings
- Provide transparency within the firm as to job responsibilities and processes for governance appointments and/or elections
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 Diversity Lab’s 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.