Diversity & Inclusion
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At Chapman, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where different ideas are heard and respected is an essential part of good corporate citizenship. We firmly believe that bringing different perspectives to the table means new ideas for our people and more effective solutions for our clients. We have long been committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that provides opportunities for lawyers and staff of all backgrounds. To that end, we prioritize investments in resources, training, and development programs that improve the recruitment, retention, and advancement within Chapman and in support of diversity and inclusion programs within our client organizations.
HIGHLIGHTS
Chapman’s 360-degree approach to diversity begins with pipeline programs for middle school and high school students; encompasses every aspect of our recruiting, training, and retention practices; and extends to our supply chain and vendor relationships:
- Pipeline Programs. We engage in expanding pipeline opportunities for future lawyers by supporting several organizations that champion ethnically diverse students from at-risk and under-resourced communities.
- Leadership. 50% of our managing Policy Committee members are women, racially/ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, and/or disabled.
- Mansfield Rule. Chapman is a Diversity Lab Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus firm. Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Plus status indicates that, in addition to meeting or exceeding baseline certification requirements, Chapman has successfully reached at least 30% underrepresented lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles.
- Mentorship. Chapman’s Mentoring Circles and Business Resource Groups (BRGs) provide supportive forums for guidance on all types of issues including client service, practice development, and leadership. Learn more about our BRGs.
- Recruitment and Promotion. Over the last five years, an average of 74% of our incoming associates and 50% of our new partners were women, racially/ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, and/or disabled.
- Sponsorship. Chapman’s sponsorship program pairs female, racially/ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, and/or disabled associates with senior leaders of the firm to further support professional development and advancement.
- Supplier Diversity. We believe that utilizing an array of vendors and suppliers allows us to promote inclusion and better serve our diverse personnel and clients. To this end, we prioritize purchasing supplies and services from vendors that identify as having diverse ownership.
RECOGNITION
- MetLife has awarded Chapman with two diversity awards. In 2019, MetLife recognized Chapman’s sponsorship program with its annual diversity award. Chapman was one of four law firms honored (50 firms submitted details on their sponsorship programs, and over 250 were asked to participate). In 2016, Chapman was one of three law firms honored with a MetLife diversity award for the firm’s diverse and inclusive policies and practices.
- Chapman continues to be named one of the best law firms for women by Seramount (2021 marked Chapman’s 13th year on the list), and Law360’s Glass Ceiling Report recognizes Chapman as one of the best law firms for women (past five years).
- The Human Rights Campaign ranks Chapman as one of the best places to work in terms of benefits and protections for LGBTQ attorneys and staff. We have scored 100% on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index for the past 12 years.
- Chapman has been consistently recognized by Equality Illinois for “Raising the Bar” and leading the way in providing a safe and fair work environment for LGBTQ+ employees and engaging with the LGBTQ+ community.
- The American Lawyer ranks Chapman among the top 25% of law firms with the highest percentage of female equity partners (past three years).
Diversity & Inclusion Updates
- Press ReleaseSeptember 13, 2021
Chapman and Cutler LLP is proud to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus status. The Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.
- ArticleNALP Bulletin+September 2021
Chapman's Professional Development, Diversity and Pro Bono Manager Shannon Burke and Legal Recruiting Manager Jessi Hoffer authored an article in the NALP Bulletin+.
- NewsJuly 2021
Chapman proudly reaffirms our commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession and supporting of our Attorneys with Disabilities Business Resource Group, by adding our voice to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) initiative – Pledge for Change: Disability in the Legal Profession.
- RecognitionJune 22, 2021
The 2021 list marks the thirteenth time Chapman has been recognized by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media) for programs, policies, and best practices.
- ConferenceMay 13, 2021
Chapman's Co-Diversity Partner Juliet Huang spoke at "Progressive Pathways: Adopting a D&I Growth Mindset for the C-Suite," a webinar hosted by the Thomson Reuters Institute.
- NewsApril 14, 2021
Chapman is proud to announce that David DePriest, a 2L at the Washington University School of Law, is the recipient of the third annual Chapman and Cutler LLP Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Diversity Scholarship.
- EventMarch 10, 2021
Chapman attorneys Kelley Bender, Rebecca Wallenfelsz, Ronni Martin, and Lauren Rushing spoke at an event hosted by the Women’s Law Society at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
- Press ReleaseJanuary 28, 2021
Chapman was again named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a 100% score on the annual Corporate Equality Index.
- RecognitionJanuary 2021
Chapman attorney Latrice Baptiste was named by Lawyers of Color to its 2020 Nation’s Best list.
- NewsOctober 20, 2020
Chapman was named one of the top law firms for women attorneys in Law360’s 2020 Glass Ceiling Report.
- Press ReleaseSeptember 8, 2020
Receiving a “Hall of Fame” distinction, the 2020 list marks the 12th time Chapman has been recognized by Working Mother for programs, policies, and best practices.
- Press ReleaseJuly 2, 2020
Chapman is proud to join the Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule initiative to increase the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership and governance roles.
- NewsJune 2020
We are proud to announce that Chapman has joined the new Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) formed to work on pro bono projects and regulatory advocacy initiatives that seek to correct injustices in our legal system and to promote racial equality in the law and government institutions.
- NewsFebruary 28, 2020
Ericka Martinez Alvarez, a 2L at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, is the recipient of the second annual Chapman and Cutler LLP Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Diversity Scholarship.
- Press ReleaseJanuary 21, 2020
Chapman and Cutler LLP was again named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a 100% score on the annual Corporate Equality Index.
- CommunityJuly 2019
Chapman is proud to support the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms and its LegalTrek program, which is working to diversify the legal profession by encouraging and supporting college students from historically underrepresented groups to attend law school.
- Press ReleaseJuly 16, 2019
Receiving a “Hall of Fame” distinction, the Best Law Firms for Women 2019 list marks the tenth time Chapman has been recognized by Working Mother for programs, policies, and best practices.
- CommunityJune 2019
Chapman attorneys and professionals gathered in our offices to show support for the LGBTQ community, culminating in our Chapman Pride video.
- NewsJune 2019
Chapman’s Chicago office hosted a reception recognizing Ezra Lintner as the first recipient of the Chapman and Cutler LLP Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Diversity Scholarship. Ezra is an openly transgender Dean's List Scholar at DePaul University College of Law.
- RecognitionMay 2019
Chapman was named among Law360's 70 best law firms for women attorneys that are “demonstrating that the industry's gender diversity goals can turn into a measurable result, and boost the number of women at all levels of a law firm." This is the third consecutive year that Chapman was recognized.
- RecognitionMarch 2019
MetLife has once again recognized Chapman for inclusivity efforts spanning affinity group activities, mentoring and sponsorship opportunities, training and pipeline programs, and supplier diversity initiatives.
- Press ReleaseMarch 29, 2019
Chapman was again named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a 100% score on the annual Corporate Equality Index.
- Press ReleaseJuly 31, 2018
Chapman and Cutler LLP is pleased to announce that it has been named to the Best Law Firms for Women 2018 list, published by Working Mother.
- RecognitionMay 29, 2018
Chapman was named among the 62 best law firms for women attorneys that are “outpacing their peers, breaking down barriers, and forging a path to a more diverse working environment” by Law360.
Diversity Matters: Read more about our diversity and inclusion initiatives and impact.
Chapman Diversity Scholarship
Each year, 2L law students are invited to apply for the Chapman and Cutler LLP Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Diversity Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship, established to support a second-year law student who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity, is named for the late Maynard Jackson, the first African American Mayor of Atlanta and a public finance partner at Chapman (1982-1990).
Chapman Joins Law Firm Antiracism Alliance
We are proud to announce that Chapman has joined the new Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) formed to work on pro bono projects and regulatory advocacy initiatives that seek to correct injustices in our legal system and to promote racial equality in the law and government institutions.
Diversity Partners:
Walt Draney
Juliet Huang