Bilzin Sumberg Achieves Mansfield Certification
Miami, FL – Bilzin Sumberg is proud to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Certification for 2024-2025, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession. Developed by the Diversity Lab, Mansfield Certification is designed to broaden the talent pool for leadership and ensure transparent, equitable pathways to advancement for underrepresented lawyers.
By achieving certification, Bilzin Sumberg has demonstrated measurable progress in its efforts to consider a diverse slate of candidates for leadership roles and high-visibility positions. As part of its commitment to the Mansfield process, the firm has implemented clear and transparent processes for internal governance, covering enhanced selection guidelines and equitable pathways for leadership roles and committee appointments.
“Fostering a fair and inclusive workplace is a cornerstone of Bilzin Sumberg’s identity,” said Hiring Partner Melissa Pallett-Vasquez. “This certification reflects our continued commitment to intentionality and accountability in that effort.”
Looking ahead, Bilzin Sumberg is pleased to confirm its renewed participation in the 2025–2026 Mansfield Certification cycle, joining over 275 peer firms committed to building a more equitable legal profession. The firm will continue to collaborate with Diversity Lab to track its progress, share insights, and remain accountable to its DEI goals.
This achievement aligns with Bilzin Sumberg’s longstanding partnerships with leading DEI-focused organizations and initiatives, including Bloomberg Law’s DEI Framework, the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, and the National Association for Law Placement’s Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, among others.
About the Mansfield Rule
The Mansfield Rule for law firms measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and/or senior lateral positions. The Mansfield Rule is named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States. Based on research regarding diverse candidate pools, the Mansfield Rule requires 30% underrepresented candidates in professional selection pools, with a strong focus on the leadership pipeline, transparency, knowledge sharing, and accountability through the Certification process. It is believed that 30% diversity is necessary to disrupt internal bias.
About Bilzin Sumberg
At Bilzin Sumberg, we empower our clients to achieve extraordinary results through our expertise and creative solutions. Our dedication to providing practical and personalized attention spans a broad spectrum of practices, focusing on complex matters that require a high level of expertise and sophistication.
Guided by our guiding principles of integrity, trust, and empathy, we build strong, enduring relationships with our clients and partners. By leveraging relationships, we deliver tailored solutions that make a lasting impact. Our competencies include antitrust, trial and litigation, construction law, corporate and securities, environmental law, CMBS, restructuring and finance, government relations, joint ventures, private wealth planning, public-private partnerships, and real estate. For more information, please visit bilzin.com.
