Bloomin’ Brands Legal Team Achieves Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule Certification
The certification aims to boost the number of attorneys in leadership positions and increase development opportunities for underrepresented groups
TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2022) – The Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN) legal department has achieved Mansfield Rule: Legal Department Certification Plus – the legal industry’s most rigorous diversity recognition. To achieve the Mansfield 2.0 Certification Plus, the legal team collaborated with Diversity Lab over a 24-month period, adding measurement, transparency, and accountability mechanisms in their hiring and promotion processes.
“This certification has helped us become more strategic and intentional about who we interview, hire, and promote and this has helped us become a more diverse team,” said Bloomin’ Brands Chief Legal Officer, Kelly Lefferts. “The proactive steps we’ve taken have produced undeniable results.”
Over the course of the certification program, the percentage of attorneys from underrepresented groups, including women, engaged to represent us as outside counsel increased from 34% to 80%. The percentage of attorneys engaged as outside counsel that identify as racial or ethnic minorities increased from 5% to 17%.
The legal team made the commitment to increase diversity by broadening the pool of women, LGBTQ+, lawyers with disabilities, and racial/ethnic minority lawyers who are considered for internal job openings and promotions, as well as outside counsel representation. To obtain the certification, they committed to consider at least 50% historically underrepresented lawyers for 70% or more of leadership roles and outside counsel assignments.
To learn more about Bloomin’ Brands and other legal departments who’ve achieved the Mansfield 2.0 Certification, visit this link.
About Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.
Bloomin' Brands, Inc. is one of the largest casual dining restaurant companies in the world with a portfolio of leading, differentiated restaurant concepts. The Company has four founder-inspired brands: Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. The Company owns and operates approximately 1,450 restaurants in 47 states, Guam and 15 countries, some of which are franchise locations. For more information, please visit bloominbrands.com.