Covington Achieves “Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0 Plus” for Diversity

Covington Achieves “Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0 Plus” for Diversity

Firm Also Commits to “Mansfield 4.0”

September 15, 2020

WASHINGTON—The Diversity Lab, an incubator for ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law, has certified Covington as having achieved the “Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0 Plus” after completing the twelve-month certification program.

The "Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0" measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for recruitment, governance rules, equity partner promotions, and inclusion in formal client development presentations to clients. To achieve the “Plus” certification, firms also had to reach at least 30 percent diverse lawyer representation in current leadership roles.

“We understand that by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse group of lawyers, we advance the interest of our clients, our practice, and the entire profession,” said Doug Gibson, Covington’s chair. “We are proud to have committed to the inaugural Mansfield Rule and to have made meaningful progress, but we also appreciate more improvement can and should be made. We see the firm’s long-term success inextricably intertwined with achieving a more diverse and inclusive firm.”

Covington has also agreed to participate in "Mansfield 4.0."