Our Commitment
Calfee is dedicated to supporting a culture that is inclusive of all attorneys and staff and that values the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our talent.
We believe that creating an inclusive environment not only benefits our team but enhances our ability to serve our colleagues, clients and communities at the highest level. Inclusion and diversity, with a focus on supporting opportunities and professional success for all, are important focus areas 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 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.
We have undergone this effort with the support of our clients and the legal departments 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. 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.
GELI Forum
Additionally, Calfee is a founding member of Cleveland's GELI Forum, which is a collaboration of Cleveland law firms committed to supporting the professional development and success for all attorneys 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. 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 from a variety of 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. The program is designed to work toward the development needed for long-term career advancement, and both parties 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 Inclusion & Diversity Strategic Overview
Calfee's Inclusion & Diversity 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 inclusion and opportunity in the workplace. During these sessions, employees were asked to provide candid feedback on the current environment at Calfee, ideas and thoughts for improvement, and ways to increase transparency.
Following the small group sessions, the Committee reviewed all of the feedback received and 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 programs.
For additional information on Calfee's inclusion and diversity activities and commitments, please contact our Inclusion & Diversity Committee Chair Josh Sanders.
