Diversity

Diversity

We feel that a workforce that reflects the needs and interests of our clients and a work environment that provides wide opportunity for people with varied backgrounds are important goals. Hanson Bridgett's commitment to diversity begins with the law schools where we seek to recruit diverse classes of summer associates and support the needs of minority students through the Gerald Marcus Fellowship. We also help students from diverse backgrounds prepare for professional careers through the firm's annual 1L Interview Workshop. Within our firm's daily activities we have joined the effort to provide greater opportunities reflected in the BASF's Goals and Timetables and the No Glass Ceiling Initiative and undertake pro bono activities that protect the rights of underrepresented minorities.

Within our industry we play a leading role in organizations committed to increasing diversity in the profession such as the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP), and seek to provide meaningful support to bar and community organizations that assist underrepresented communities. Creating and sustaining diversity is a continuing, worthwhile challenge and we have chosen not to be indifferent.

Diversity Recognition

Our firm is proud to be recognized for the work that we have done in support of the promotion of diversity in the legal field.

Hanson Bridgett was awarded the 2011 Diversity Award from the State Bar of California for our long-term, sustained accomplishments toward increasing diversity in the legal profession.

Hanson Bridgett is one of 32 law firms recognized by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) as qualifying for its new Gold Standard Certification—a designation for firms that have integrated women into the highest leadership positions in the firm.

In September 2011, Hanson Bridgett was named a "Best Law Firm for Women" by The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and Flex-Time Lawyers. This marks the second time the firm has received this recognition. Hanson Bridgett was selected for its continued attention to work-life and women's issues as well as urging increased use of flex-time, reduced-hour and other family-friendly policies to ensure the future success of the profession.

The California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) paid tribute to Hanson Bridgett for its service to the community by granting the firm the David Cunningham Corporate Community Service Award in 2008. CABL has a time-honored tradition of annually paying tribute to those individuals and corporations who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and in service to the community.

Hanson Bridgett was honored by the Asian American Bar Association (AABA) in February 2006. The firm received AABA's first-ever Commitment to Diversity Award, in recognition of its long-standing contribution to diversity and to AABA's activities.

In October 2004, the firm received the Minority Corporate Counsel Association Thomas L. Sager Award for the Western Region. This award was established to honor law firms that have demonstrated sustained commitment to improve the hiring, retention, promotion and mentoring of minority attorneys.

Hanson Bridgett received an Award of Distinction from the Law Students of African Descent at University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law in May 2004 for its continued support of the organization.

In November 2003, the firm was honored by the California Minority Counsel Program with the Drucilla Stender Ramey Majority Law Firm Award. The award honors the majority law firm that best demonstrates its commitment to diversity. The award criteria focus on recruitment, retention, and promotion rates of attorneys of color, the support of and participation in CMCP and ethnic minority bar associations, and the establishment of a law-firm culture that values diversity.