FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (September 2021) – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that it has joined the Mansfield Rule for Midsize Law Firms. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership. Directed by Diversity Lab, the Mansfield Rule has become the standard by which law firms track and measure that they have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent female lawyers, lawyers of color and underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for entry-level and lateral attorney job openings, leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, and client pitch opportunities.
Diana C. Manning, Firm Managing Principal said, “Bressler is committed to being a part of meaningful positive change in the legal community. We understand that our strength and achievements depend upon people with different insights, backgrounds, and experiences. We are incredibly proud of our continued effort to remain steadfastly focused on inclusivity and to deepen our commitment to diversity at Bressler and beyond in the legal industry.”
In May 2021, Manning became the firm’s first female managing principal. In July 2021, the firm hired Shannon Epstein as its Executive Director to support the implementation of the firm’s strategic direction and plan and to support the firm’s diversity and client service initiatives.
“Bressler is excited to work in collaboration with Diversity Lab and other law firms committed to the Mansfield Rule,” said Lauren Fenton-Valdivia Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “The positive statistics reported by other participating firms illustrate that change is possible when industry leaders work toward the common good and provide structural elements such as the certification, accountability, knowledge sharing, and transparency.”
Diversity Lab strives to create innovative ideas and resolutions that increase diversity and inclusion in the legal industry. The organization works with participating firms to measure their outcomes annually and based on those outcomes, adjusts the Mansfield Rule program to guarantee that the goal of diversifying firm leadership progresses as inclusively and effectively as possible.