Harness IP is pleased to announce that it has expanded its commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I) by participating in the second cohort of The Mansfield Rule for Midsize Law Firms.

“We are thrilled to be part of the next Mansfield Certification cohort,” says Leanne Rakers, firm Principal and Chair of Harness IP’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “Our plan is to learn as much as we can from this process and from the other firms in our cohort as we continue to move the needle on diversity and inclusion at Harness IP.”

As stated on the website of the Diversity Lab, the founders and stewards of the Mansfield Certification process, the “goal of the Midsize Mansfield Rule is 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” in all job, promotion, and client relationship opportunities.

More specifically, Mansfield Certification requires legal departments to consider 30% or more historically underrepresented lawyers for 60% or more of certain leadership roles and activities as outlined on the Diversity Lab website.

The second cohort of the Midsize Mansfield Rule launches on September 15, 2021. The certification process is expected to last 18 months as firms transition to new hiring, promotion, and leadership initiatives. Please visit the Diversity Lab website to learn more: https://www.diversitylab.com/pilot-projects/mansfield_midsize/

About Harness IP

Harness IP is celebrating 100 years as an intellectual property law firm. Founded in 1921, the firm currently holds a #2 ranking from IAM Media for providing counsel to 44 companies with the largest portfolios of issued U.S. patents. The firm also ranks #6 for filing the most patent applications on behalf of those companies. Harness IP’s attorneys and IP professionals focus exclusively on patents, trademarks, global IP management, litigation, and other IP rights. The firm has offices in Metro Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Visit www.harnessip.com for more information.