Smith Anderson’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Advances as Member of New Midsize Law Firm Mansfield Rule Class

At the heart of Smith Anderson’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts is our belief that D&I means celebrating the variety of experiences and backgrounds that make for a stronger internal culture, while better reflecting the communities and clients we serve. To that end, Smith Anderson has joined the 2021-2023 Midsize Law Firm class of the Mansfield Rule, a move that will empower the firm’s efforts to recruit, retain and promote an even more diverse team of attorneys. 

Diversity Lab, an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law, developed and administers the Mansfield Rule program, which was created to “increase the representation of diverse lawyers in leadership by broadening the pool of women, LGBTQ+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and/or racial/ethnic minority lawyers who are considered for entry-level and lateral attorney job openings, leadership opportunities, equity partner promotions, and opportunities to connect with clients.”

Upon completion of the program, Smith Anderson will be designated as “Mansfield Certified” which allows the firm the opportunity to send diverse partners to the Mansfield Rule Client Forums to build relationships with and learn from Diversity Lab’s in-house counsel collaborators, Diversity Lab announced in a press release.

As the largest business and litigation law firm headquartered in the Triangle, Smith Anderson has a significant public profile and is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we recognize that we play a pivotal role as a voice of change and influence in the legal profession and the community. The acceptance into the Mansfield Rule’s Midsize Law Firms program reflects our obligation to not only “talk the talk,” but demonstrate our commitment to D&I through actions that result in positive change.

Our accomplishments have been recognized in 2021, when Smith Anderson received the Wake County Bar Association’s inaugural “Equity Champion Award” and the “Diversity & Inclusion Award” from North Carolina and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.

Visit our Diversity & Inclusion page to learn more about how Smith Anderson demonstrates its commitment through active and measurable actions, and click here to read the firm’s June 9, 2020 statement on racial injustice.

Additional information about Mansfield Rule for Midsize Law Firms can be found here.