Benesch Achieves Mansfield 5.0 Certification

Benesch is pleased to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification status following a year-long process to track and measure the consideration of underrepresented attorneys for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings.

“We are proud to join the growing cohort of firms building a robust pipeline of future leaders to reflect the diversity of the clients we serve and the communities where we live and work,” said Managing Partner Gregg Eisenberg. “While being an equitable and inclusive workplace has long been a central part of our firm culture, achieving this certification reflects an important validation of our efforts.”

The Mansfield 5.0 certification process requires law firms to consider at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers – a class that includes women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities – when promoting or appointing to leadership roles, among a dozen other actions that focus on the path to leadership. Firms must also consider 30% underrepresented talent for C-suite roles. As part of the certification process, Benesch and other participating law firms shared lessons learned with each other through monthly knowledge sharing forums.

In addition to its work in diversifying the leadership pipeline, Benesch has delivered on commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion across the firm. More than 70% of the firm’s 2021 summer associates and first-year associates come from underrepresented backgrounds.