Inclusion in Action at Jackson Walker: Largest Law Firm in Texas Earns Mansfield Certification

Dallas-based Jackson Walker recently achieved Mansfield Rule Certification, part of the law firm’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Launched by Diversity Lab in 2017, the Mansfield Rule was designed to improve diversity within law firm and legal department leadership.

Mansfield Certification measures the structural changes that Jackson Walker has taken over the past year to ensure its paths to leadership – including lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions, and appointments – are open and transparent to all qualified lawyers. 

“It’s evident that diverse leadership not only fosters inclusivity and belonging but also leads to equitable decision-making, ensuring our entire firm’s needs are met to the benefit of both our talented team and valued clients,” says Suzan Kedron, who chairs the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “By achieving Mansfield Certification, we continue our path dedicated to fostering equal opportunity and broadening access to leadership positions.”

Founded in 1887, Jackson Walker employs more than 450 attorneys at seven locations, making it the largest law firm in the state. The firm is one of more than 240 law firms that successfully completed Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 2022-2023 Certification Program, which ran from July 2022 to July 2023. 

To gain certification, law firms must track and prove that they have considered at least 30% women, lawyers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ lawyers for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership, and participation in client pitch meetings.

In a statement announcing the certification, the company reported that the Mansfield framework helps it take an inclusive, structured, and data-driven approach to leadership advancement — and ensure the approach is consistent across offices and practice groups. When decisions are made about who to appoint or elect to leadership roles, Jackson Walker now considers a broad pipeline of talent, including lawyers who are historically underrepresented in law.