K&L Gates Achieves Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification

Seattle - Global law firm K&L Gates LLP is among the leading law firms to have achieved Mansfield Rule certification in Diversity Lab’s latest round of its program recognizing firms that “have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and are making meaningful progress on diversifying law firm leadership.”

To achieve this certification, Diversity Lab measured through a rigorous 12-month program whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% 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. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities.

Pallavi Mehta Wahi, K&L Gates’ co-managing partner, United States, and chair of the firm’s global Diversity Committee, commented: “We are extremely proud to have pledged to adopt the Mansfield Rule 4.0 as part of our ongoing commitment to increasing diversity in our ranks. The dedication of our firm and others to the Mansfield principles of tracking and documenting, expanding mindsets, increasing transparency, and sharing knowledge are having a meaningful impact on the diversity of law firm leadership.”

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. Experimental ideas are created through 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.

"We are thrilled to celebrate these firms that have worked so tirelessly to implement the Mansfield Rule principles and create inclusive workplaces where every lawyer has the ability to thrive and the opportunity to lead,” said Natalia Marulanda, Mansfield Rule Director at Diversity Lab. “Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the Mansfield Rule certified firms have not deviated from their goal of ensuring that law firm leadership reflects the rich diversity of the profession. We are enormously proud to work with such a committed group of firms."

In addition to its Mansfield Rule certification, K&L Gates sponsors and participates in a number of diversity-related programs. Internally, these include the firm’s Conversations About Race speaker series focusing on the lingering effects of inequality and systemic racism in society; an equal justice pro bono effort to provide pro bono assistance in areas of particular need, such as voting rights, criminal justice reform, and the rights of indigenous peoples; and a Pathway to Success business training program with Ms. JD to aid the firm’s women associates in building their careers. Among external organizations the firm supports are Diversity Council Australia, Equality Campaign Australia, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the National Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, and the Stonewall (UK) Global Diversity Champions Program.

To read more about K&L Gates’ commitment and approach to diversity and inclusion, please visit the firm’s website.