September 15, 2020

Munger, Tolles & Olson Earns Mansfield Certification Plus Status for 2020

Diversity Lab announced on Sept. 15, 2020 that Munger, Tolles & Olson attained Mansfield Certification Plus status, the highest level of certification available, for the third consecutive year.

The Mansfield Rule 3.0 measured whether law firms considered at least 30% women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions. To receive Certification Plus status, the firm had to not only meet these pipeline consideration requirements, but also successfully reach at least 30% diverse representation in more than half of the key leadership positions tracked.

“Munger Tolles is committed to advancing diversity in leadership at our firm and the Certification Plus status marks this achievement for the third year in a row,” says partner Rose Leda Ehler, who spearheaded the implementation of the Mansfield Rule.

Since 2018, Munger Tolles has seen double-digit growth in the diversity of its Management and Compensation Committees, which are now 64% and 56% diverse, respectively. It has also increased the diversity of its equity partnership to 42% and promoted at least 50% diverse lawyers to partner over the past three years.

Of the 3.0 Certification Plus recognition, Diversity Lab says, “We recognize the hard work and dedication that you and others in your firm invested in this impressive result, especially in such a tumultuous year, and we greatly appreciate your efforts and demonstrated commitment to moving the needle on diversity and inclusion.”

Munger Tolles will be redoubling its D&I efforts in the year to come. The firm is currently piloting the Mansfield Rule 4.0, which runs through July 2021 and increases the threshold for Certification Plus status. Under the new 4.0 guidelines, the firm will also be tracking attorneys staffed on new matters resulting from pitches won during the 12-month certification period to ensure that at least 30% are historically underrepresented lawyers.

You can read more about the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts here.