November 2024
At Hanson Bridgett, we celebrate our people, the inclusive workplace culture, and the communities where we work and live: they are the heartbeat of our firm. These are the stories of our values in action. The current happenings and the vibrant individuals behind the scenes and legal matters. Don’t miss a beat.
WATCH NOW: Belonging at Hanson Bridgett
Meet partner Gilbert Tsai. Confidence booster. DEI champion.
“The first thing I noticed about Hanson Bridgett is that the attorneys try to raise each other up,” shares partner Gilbert Tsai in our latest Belonging at Hanson Bridgett video. “They teach, they mentor, and they care about your personal and professional development here.”
As a seasoned Labor and Employment attorney, Gilbert is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to employer and employee relations. He’s a trusted advisor to his clients in helping them navigate the dynamic complexities of California labor laws and regulations. Gilbert offers a simpler explanation of what it means to practice labor and employment law: “Everybody has a boss. Everybody has a way that they earn income. And there are all sorts of rules governing how that should work.” In essence, he advises clients on how to treat employees with dignity.
Gilbert echoes what many of our attorneys featured in this series have pointed to as a key differentiator at our firm: the importance of mentors. “I’ve had so many different mentors at the firm and I continue to have partners that I go to to talk about business development, strategy, or personal growth. Each one has their own niche,” he shares.
Whether advising clients in employment law or mentoring the next generation of Hanson Bridgett’s attorneys, Gilbert’s unique understanding of the importance of fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and supported inspires our people-first culture at the firm. Watch now to get Gilbert’s definition of success and learn why he and others at the firm believe strongly in building each other up, and the importance of having diverse viewpoints to choose from when trying to make the right decision.
A Brief Q&A with Gilbert Tsai
What is something people here at Hanson Bridgett (or clients) may not know about you?
Before law school I spent 3 years travelling throughout Asia and teaching English. It was a really fun and rewarding post-college experience.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m playing a lot more tennis lately, and my family and I have been fostering a lot of pets. Dogs, cats, even a bunny. We’re enjoying having “temporary” animals in the house.
What made you decide to become a Labor & Employment Attorney?
In high school my Economics teacher held a few “mock bargaining” session with half of the class representing employers and the other half representing unions/employees. Based in large part on that, I chose to major in Labor Relations in college, and really enjoyed the Labor Law courses. By the time I went into law school, I was already interested in this area.
What is your favorite food/music/movie?
I could eat ramen with tonkotsu broth for the rest of my life.
What’s one piece of advice you give to up and coming L&E attorneys?
Read constantly! Learn the basics, and then keep up to date on developments, and you will soon find your niche.
