We believe our ongoing success hinges on an inclusive environment that values multiple perspectives, experiences, lifestyles and cultures. By embracing a dynamic culture, we are better equipped to relate to the needs of our clients and to draw on the broadest possible pool of knowledge, skills and talent.
Diversity Strategy
To advance Connell Foley’s commitment to diversity, we seek to:
- expand the presence of a wide range of backgrounds within the firm’s leadership positions, committees and practice groups
- increase participation in minority organizations, bar associations and affinity groups
- enhance awareness and appreciation internally through mentorship opportunities and educational seminars
- demonstrate a sustained commitment to improve the hiring, retention and promotion of a diverse workforce and continually assess our initiatives, statistics and progress
Diversity Committee
Our longstanding Diversity Committee ensures that time, budget and resources are appropriately committed to enhancing the firm’s diverse culture. The group reports to the firm’s Executive Committee and works with management and the Hiring Committee to develop policy and address personnel issues, as well as to promote the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of a talented and diverse workforce.
Recruitment, Training & Mentoring
Connell Foley’s recruitment programs have expanded hiring criteria beyond traditional law-school indices. We recognize qualities such as superior character and capacity for growth as indicators of one’s ability to succeed. For many years, we have actively expanded the number of minorities and women in summer programs and as new lawyer hires.
Mansfield Certification
Connell Foley achieved Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification status, a prestigious designation awarded to law firms with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. When reviewing which law firms qualify for Mansfield Certification status, the Diversity Lab, a developer of methods for boosting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, evaluates firms based on the structural changes and steps taken over the past year to ensure lateral hiring, client pitch teams, promotions, and appointments, are more transparent and open to all qualified attorneys.
Connell Foley met the rigorous criteria for the latest Mansfield Certification, Class 6.0 version. The firm increased internal advancement and compensation transparency, shared information through regular forums, established job descriptions for leadership roles, and followed Mansfield's framework to take an inclusive, structured, and data-driven approach to leadership advancement consistent across offices and practice groups.
You can learn more about the Mansfield Rule and Connell Foley’s participation here: https://www.diversitylab.com/pilot-projects/mansfield-rule-5-us-uk-canada/.
Affiliations
We cultivate relationships with legal, business and community associations that are dedicated to connecting people with common interests and backgrounds. To promote racial, ethnic and gender diversity in the legal profession, our lawyers work with numerous notable organizations, including:
- Asian American Legal Defense and Education Funds
- Defense Research Institute, Women in the Law Committee
- Executive Women of New Jersey
- National Association of Women Lawyers
- Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
- New York State Bar Association, Committee on Women in the Law
- South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey
- South Asian Bar Association of New York
- Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
- The Hispanic Lawyers Forum
- USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection
- USLAW NETWORK Foundation Diversity Scholarship Fund