Our Mission

We are taking our efforts to the next level at Hinshaw as we double down on our commitment to diversity and expand our initiatives throughout the firm. We believe that a successful diversity, equity, and inclusion program requires intentionality across three initiatives—attorney development, relationship building, and civic engagement. Our attorney development is aimed at making our diverse attorneys the best in their field. Our relationship building helps form bonds of trust that make our teams stronger and more inclusive. Our civic engagement enables us to be leaders and agents of change in our respective communities. Hinshaw understands that diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot be successful in isolation.

We are proud to share that Hinshaw has committed to the following impactful DE&I initiatives:

• Building on its pilot Hinshaw DEI Matters Rule and in fulfillment of one of its commitments in the Hinshaw Black Attorneys Matter Referendum, the firm became a signatory to the Mansfield Rule 5.0. The program is designed to boost the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities. Law firms that sign onto the Mansfield Rule agree to consider at least 30 percent women lawyers, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Participation in the Mansfield Rule 5.0 adds accountability and expands on the firm's existing initiatives developed over the past several years.
• Hinshaw's Black Attorneys Matter Referendum represents our firm's commitment to further the interests of racial justice by the development of initiatives that will focus on Black and other diverse attorneys. The goals are to strengthen Hinshaw's diversity and inclusion efforts; integrate diversity into client experiences; and position Hinshaw as a law firm leader that celebrates differences as a key strength.
  
  To effectuate these goals, Hinshaw will develop and enhance strategies around recruitment, talent development, business development and marketing, cultural awareness, and pro bono initiatives to benefit our Black and diverse attorneys. These strategies are part of the ongoing commitment and holistic effort of Hinshaw to become proactively inclusive, to demonstrate how diversity, equity, and inclusion matters, and to support the need for systemic change. We invite you to listen to our Chairman and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner discuss the referendum further here.
• Our firm has been a founding sponsor of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) program and has been fortunate to have a fellow selected to several classes since 2011. Founded in 2009, the LCLD Committee has grown to an organization of more than 350 Members, who serve as either general counsel of major corporations or managing partners of the nation's leading law firms. United by a spirit of activism and personal commitment, LCLD Committee members participate widely in the programs they've created—leading by example, taking action, and challenging the legal profession to prepare future generations of diverse talent for the highest positions of leadership. View our firm's LCLD Committee members.

• Our Summer Diversity Scholarship is offered every year to diverse law students for their final year of law school. This year, we will award two $10,000.00 scholarships to second-year (2L) diverse students who demonstrate excellent academic performance. Hinshaw also offers the recipient a paid summer law clerk position (depending on office) during the summer before their third year of law school. Visit our Summer Diversity Fellowship page for more information.

Diversity Committee

Our Diversity Committee is comprised of key stakeholders across the firm. Members collaborate on a regular basis to review and ensure the advancement of our three-fold Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives at Hinshaw.