Attracting and retaining a rich mix of talent remains a top priority for Stoel Rives. Since 2015, we have been actively collaborating with Diversity Lab to develop innovative initiatives that align with our DE&I objectives. We invite you to explore the various programs that have been integral to our diversity commitment.
Mansfield Rule Law Certification Program
Stoel Rives has proudly pledged its commitment to the Mansfield Rule Law Certification Program, starting with Mansfield Rule 2.0 in 2018. This annual certification program aims to enhance diverse representation in leadership roles by expanding candidate consideration.
We are proud to announce that we have successfully completed the 12-month program for 2023–2024, and Diversity Lab has recognized Stoel Rives among its “True Trailblazers,” a select group of law firms that has achieved certification and remained committed for seven to eight years. The certification illustrates that by removing nonmaterial barriers to consideration, we have had candidate pools comprising at least 30% women, minorities, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities for leadership roles and promotion into equity partnership, among a dozen other activities that focus on the path to leadership. The “Plus” status is a designation reserved for firms that voluntarily report the outcomes of their inclusive processes.
The Mansfield Rule, named after Arabella Mansfield, the first female attorney in the United States, emphasizes the importance of providing equal access for all to leadership opportunities in the legal profession.
Throughout the 2023–2024 certification process, Diversity Lab collected and evaluated data on our progression concerning certification requirements. Key outcomes of Stoel Rives' certification review include:
- More than 55% of those considered for lateral attorney or C-suite roles came from historically underrepresented groups
- Nearly 60% of those considered for firm governance roles were from historically underrepresented groups
- More than 60% of those considered for capital partner promotions came from historically underrepresented groups
- Advancement processes, compensation policies, and leadership role descriptions are written, clear, and accessible to all qualified attorneys
In line with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Stoel Rives will continue participating in the Mansfield Rule Law Certification Program alongside hundreds of leading law firms for 2024–2025. To learn more about the Mansfield Rule, please visit Diversity Lab’s website.
Move the Needle Fund
Stoel Rives is a firm that deeply values diversity and inclusivity in the legal environment. Over the years, we have dedicated significant efforts to recognizing and appreciating all dimensions of diversity. Our clients and communities are best served when we cultivate a workforce composed of talented and dedicated individuals from a wide array of backgrounds. As a proud founding member of Diversity Lab’s Move the Needle Fund (MTN), we actively participate in evaluating innovative strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession.
Through our commitment to the MTN initiative, launched in January 2020, we aim to achieve equality in the retention rates of our diverse attorneys and non-diverse attorneys by 2025 ultimately benefiting from a higher proportion of diverse partners within our firm. The MTN initiative addresses critical issues such as factors that inhibit leadership diversity, attrition rates among diverse talents, and access to career-enhancing opportunities and sponsorship.
To learn more about MTN, please visit www.mtnfund2025.com.
Press Coverage
Diversity Lab’s MTN is the first collaborative effort designed to test innovative initiatives to create a more inclusive legal profession. Representative articles of interest are below.
American Lawyer/Law.com “US Bank’s GC Urges Firms to Think More Aggressively on Diversity”
The Boston Globe “Local legal, VC industries take big steps to diversify the leadership ranks”
Law360 “Nixon Peabody Joins BigLaw’s Diversity ‘Laboratory’”
American Lawyer/Law.com “Nixon Peabody Becomes Last Member of Big Law Diversity ‘Laboratory’”
Global Legal Post “Five US law firms commit to spending $5M on collaborative diversity ‘lab’”
Canadian Lawyer “Several firms unite to expedite legal profession diversity”
OnTrack Sponsorship Program
Stoel Rives is committed to bringing all its high-performing attorneys into senior roles. Since joining Diversity Lab’s OnTrack Sponsorship Program, we have participated in a team-oriented, technology-based initiative that supports and tracks the sponsorship of historically underrepresented attorneys prior to and after promotion to partner. Through our participation in OnTrack, we increase our understanding of how to better support diverse partners at Stoel Rives, which directly supports our Move the Needle Fund efforts.
To learn more about OnTrack, visit Diversity Lab’s website.