Our Commitment
Calfee is dedicated to supporting a culture that is inclusive of all attorneys and staff, that values the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our talent, and that eliminates biases that would otherwise impair our ability to serve our colleagues, clients and communities at the highest level. Diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) is an increasingly critical focus area for our firm, impacting all firm operations and growth goals, as demonstrated by the following most recent and ongoing initiatives.
Mansfield Certification
Calfee is proud to share that the firm has achieved 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification, successfully completing a year-long structured certification process with Diversity Lab. We continue to participate in Mansfield Certification as a way to help ensure all talent at our firm has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership by making opportunities for advancement transparent and inclusive for everyone. By asking that at least 30% of our talent pools considered for leadership roles consist of underrepresented groups and that our advancement processes are clear and accessible.
We have undergone this effort with the support of our clients as well as the legal departments that are also participating in Mansfield. Like them, we remain dedicated to helping create a level playing field for all.
Data shows that firms that continue to participate in the Mansfield Certification process year-over-year are making significant progress in creating inclusive talent practices and diversifying leadership. We have experienced positive changes since joining Mansfield in 2021, and we remain committed to taking measurable actions that further support the inclusiveness of all our talent. Our firm is continuing that work and our participation as part of the Midsize Mansfield 2024-2025 Certification cohort.
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Our commitment to valuing and supporting diversity as a critical cultural element in attracting and retaining talent and supporting business and industry growth expands beyond our firm. Calfee is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners working to build a more open and diverse legal profession. Calfee also actively participates in the mentoring program for talented 1L law students from diverse backgrounds and formerly served as Cleveland's "City Lead," helping to coordinate the inaugural program.
Gender Equity in the Legal Industry
Additionally, Calfee is a founding member of Cleveland's Gender Equity in the Legal Industry (GELI) Forum, which is a collaboration of Cleveland law firms committed to identifying and addressing gender inequities at private law firms.
Ohio Business Competes
As of 2018, we are proud to have joined Ohio Business Competes, a non-partisan coalition of businesses committed to achieving non-discrimination policies at the state level.
Calfee's Sponsorship Program
Launched in 2022, our sponsorship program differs from Calfee’s mentoring program by moving beyond advising and guiding to proactively promoting and advocating for attorneys with diverse backgrounds. The goal of the sponsorship program is three-fold: 1) to increase retention and promotion of our attorneys; 2) to enhance the inclusivity of our firm; and 3) to nurture and strengthen an environment that values differences and the unique strengths of all attorneys, and that further supports each attorney’s success.
As part of the program, qualified associates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are matched with an influential partner at the firm who takes a proactive role in helping the associate to make meaningful connections both within the firm and in the community to actively support their success. Our current sponsors are all members of Calfee’s Management Committee. The program is designed to work toward the development needed for long-term career advancement, and both parties will work to identify experiences and opportunities to aid in that process.
While participation in the sponsorship program is not a guarantee of career advancement, promotions, or placement into specific roles for participants, our objective is that this program will provide for a more equitable career journey and support the advancement goals of those participating in the program.
Calfee's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Overview
Calfee's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee developed a strategic plan and overview to help guide its efforts and communicate its work with Calfee attorneys, staff members, clients, and friends of the firm.
In mid-2020, the Committee held small group listening sessions for all Calfee employees to discuss race, diversity, and equality in the workplace. During these sessions, employees were asked to provide candid feedback on the current status of diversity at Calfee, ideas and thoughts for improvement, and ways to increase transparency in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Following the small group sessions, the Committee reviewed all of the feedback received and then created the strategic overview, which provides information on the group's current focus and action items, action items completed within the last year, and a listing of Calfee's ongoing sponsorships and programs.
For additional information on Calfee's diversity, equity and inclusion activities and commitments, please contact our DEI Committee Co-Chairs, Jen Torres Spieth and Josh Sanders.
