ACS Washington, DC: Inspiration, Divergence and Disappointment: Two Paths Towards Diversity in the Workplace

Please join the ACS Washington, DC Lawyer Chapter and our panel of experts as they discuss the creation of the Rooney and Mansfield Rules, their divergence, and the continuing efforts to increase diversity in the workplace in multiple industries. Adopted in 2003, the Rooney Rule requires NFL teams with a head coaching, general manager, or equivalent front office position vacancy to interview at least one “diverse” candidate from outside the organization or from a list of NFL-suggested candidates. Inspired by the Rooney Rule and recognizing the lack of diversity amongst their own leadership, more than 40 law firms implemented the Mansfield Rule in 2017.

Moderator:

Austin A.B. Ownbey, Counsel at Foley Hoag LLP

Panelist:

Kavita Ramakrishnan, Mansfield Rule & Knowledge Sharing Senior Director at Diversity Lab, which is an “incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law” and the creator of the Mansfield Rule

Lauren McCoy Coffey, is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management and Program Director of Sport and Fitness Administration at Winthrop University

Cyrus Mehri, Founding Partner of Mehri & Skalet, PLLC and helped establish the Rooney Rule

Rosa Nuñez, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Foley Hoag LLP, which achieved Mansfield 5.0 plus certification last October and is currently participating in the sixth cycle of the Mansfield Rule Certification program process