Manatt Diversity Efforts Honored by California Bar Foundation

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Sep 18, 2014, 03:49 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, has received the California Bar Foundation's first-ever Leading Change Diversity Award, which recognizes the firm's commitment to diversifying the legal profession. The award was presented at the California Bar Foundation's Scholarship and Award Ceremony on Sept. 18 in Los Angeles.

"The California Bar Foundation is thrilled to award this inaugural Leading Change Diversity Award to Manatt," said Fred Brown, president of the California Bar Foundation's Board of Directors. "The firm has demonstrated over many years its commitment to building a California State Bar that is representative of the people it represents. As a 'change maker' and long-time supporter of the California Bar Foundation's mission and work, it is exciting to honor this leading firm with our first-ever diversity award."

Beginning this year, the recognition will annually honor one law firm and one corporate legal department that are helping to build a more diverse and inclusive California legal profession. Manatt's commitment to diversity is evidenced through significant human and financial investment to foster a diverse workplace. The firm has devoted a great number of resources to recruit, retain and advance diverse lawyers.

"For us, diversity is not a goal or a destination – it is a guiding principle for how we conduct our business," said Jack Yeh, partner and national chair of Manatt's Diversity Program. "In order to deliver the kind of legal excellence and creativity our clients deserve and expect, we believe our talent and our management must reflect the diversity of our communities. We are honored by the California Bar Foundation's recognition of our diversity efforts and will continue to run this marathon with them."

With more than 400 professionals, Manatt's efforts to recruit and retain talented, diverse attorneys have well outpaced those of the legal industry as a whole, resulting in a mix of diverse firm lawyers that consistently exceeds the national average. Diverse lawyers serve as heads of offices and practices, and are members of various management teams, including the firm's board of directors. In its 2014 Diversity Scorecard, The American Lawyer ranked Manatt in the top 15 percent of the 233 largest law firms in the country.

Diversity is a priority at Manatt that has been formalized through the firm's Diversity Program. At law schools, Manatt seeks out students who share the firm's principles in ways shaped and enhanced by their own experiences, and the diverse attorneys who join the firm as new or lateral hires are paired with senior mentors who take an active role in guiding their career growth by giving them access to leadership opportunities, substantive and complex legal matters, and high-profile community and civic organizations.

"A commitment to diversity and inclusion is one of the firm's core values," said William T. Quicksilver, the firm's chief executive officer and managing partner. "We strongly believe that the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our professionals enable us to better serve the needs of our clients and make meaningful contributions to our communities. We are gratified that the California Bar Foundation has chosen to honor this commitment."

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law and consulting firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.