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 our pilot Hinshaw DEI Matters Rule and in fulfillment of one of the commitments in the Hinshaw Black Attorneys Matter Referendum, the firm is proud to have achieved the 2022 Mansfield Certification. We became a signatory to the Mansfield Rule 5.0 in 2021 and expanded our commitment in 2022, with participation in the Mansfield Rule 6.0. 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. New with the 6.0 Rule, firms must consider 30 percent underrepresented talent for C-suite roles. A "Certification Plus" was also added that evaluates whether firms have achieved diversity in leadership, not just considered it. To attain this higher level of certification, firms' advancement and compensation processes must now be transparent internally.
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 each year to diverse law students for their final year of law school. This year, we will award two scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each to 2L (rising 3L) diverse students graduating in Spring 2023 who have demonstrated academic excellence. Visit our Summer Diversity Scholarship page for more information.
In 2022, we are also offering an LGBTQ+ Summer Fellowship to law students who are graduating in Spring 2023 and who have a strong interest in advancing the LGBTQ+ community within the legal profession. Visit our Summer LGBTQ+ 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.

Diversity Committee Member, Heather LaSalle Alexis Heather LaSalle Alexis