Diversity at
Archer Norris
A Professional Law Corporation
Focus on a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
“I want to look around the firm and see people who are like me, and people who are different from me.” Jiyon Yun, Partner and Diversity Committee founding member
As diverse as the clients we represent, Archer Norris is proud of our efforts and achievements in furthering a diverse workplace. Law firms in California are widely seen as outpacing the rest of the nation when it comes to creating diverse work environments. As we expand our focus beyond our home state, we also have the opportunity to expand our long-standing practice of encouraging and supporting diversity.
The Archer Norris Diversity Profile
Diversity is not an abstract concept at Archer Norris. It is our reality and a reflection of the communities where we serve and reside. We are more diverse than most large law firms, as surveyed by The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard 2011. The Archer Norris workforce is nearly 60 percent female and more than 28 percent minority.
More than 80 percent of our managers are women and we have more than 40 percent female/minority lawyers. Partner diversity is nearly 25 percent, which includes a 7 percent increase in female/minority partners in 2009 alone, and gives us a strong foundation upon which to build.
Diversity Across the Firm
Our commitment to diversity includes everyone in the firm - lawyers and staff. It encompasses differences in race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, disabilities, marital status, religious beliefs, political affiliation and sexual orientation. A 2010 internal survey of Archer Norris employees received a nearly 85 percent response rate. They indicated overall positive support and a shared purpose for our efforts and commitment to diversity.
Foundation of Support for Hiring and Retaining Diverse Talent
We believe that attracting and maintaining a diversified workforce generate a positive impact. Archer Norris is proud to live by the example of our responsible business practices that improve our counsel to clients.
Diversity Programs to Encourage and Engage Employees
Archer Norris has a formal diversity committee that develops programs to reflect and embrace the diversity of our firm. It is chaired by partner Nandor Krause, and includes partners Glenn Mau, André Hill, Trajan Perez, and Jiyon Yun, along with several members of firm management. Attorneys and others in the firm are invited to attend annual Open Forum meetings, where we share ideas for advancing diversity at Archer Norris in a collaborative team environment.
Program objectives include:
- Recruit diverse candidates, both lawyers and staff, to our workforce
- Create a work environment that makes full use of the varied contributions of our employees
- Identify and support involvement in diversity programs and events
Firm Culture and Diversity
Our commitment is reflected in our firm culture, which actively supports work-life balance concerns. A significant number of our attorneys and staff work flexible schedules, tailored to their needs and the needs of our clients. We also provide equal opportunity for women, racial and ethnic minorities, gay and lesbian individuals, and those with disabilities.
Recruiting Policy
The diverse backgrounds, quality and experience of our lawyers are among our greatest strengths. We are committed to the goals established by national and local bar associations to achieve equal opportunity in the legal profession. As part of our ongoing efforts to recruit and retain qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, members of our diversity committee and others actively participate in the recruiting process.
Future Diversity: Summer Intern Program
Archer Norris recognizes that today’s law students are the legal leaders of tomorrow. We are proud of our success in attracting a diverse group of students from nationally recognized law schools who join us during the summer. This year, the law students who joined us for the summer are 66% female/minority; last year’s class was 66% female. In 2009, participants in our summer program were 80 percentfemale and 40 percent minority. Most important, we are committed to providing the training our summer interns need to become skillful and effective practitioners.
A Long-Term Focus on Diversity
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a business imperative that we build from the ground up. Our recruiting policy mirrors our resolve to recruit and retain the best talent available regardless of background, age, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, disability or sexual orientation.
Our lawyers value our diversity commitment and many choose to remain with Archer Norris for their entire careers. That trend is apparent in our increasingly diverse partner ranks – drawn in part from lawyers who joined the firm on Day One and developed their careers with us, including Sharon Collier and César Alvarado. Such partners greatly influence our firm culture and the implicit promise of diversity: by valuing the differences between us we establish a platform for creativity, innovation and problem solving.
Diversity Programs and Events
Active Participation
Archer Norris proudly supports our attorneys in their commitment to diversity pursuits that enrich our community. Some of our recent activities are listed below.
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California Association of Black Lawyers
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CA State Bar Council on Access and Fairness
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Charles Houston Bar Association
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Contra Costa County Bar Association—Diversity
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Equal Rights Advocacy
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Filipino Bar Association of Northern California
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Financial Women’s Association
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Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
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Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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International Association of Korean Lawyers
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Korean American Bar Association NC
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La Raza Lawyers of California
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Minority Trial Lawyer, ABA Section of Litigation
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NAWJ Color of Justice Program
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Queen’s Bench Bar Association
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South Asian Bar Association SC
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Active in California Association of Black Lawyers
The California Association of Black Lawyers represents over 6,000 African-American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. With his involvement in the organization, Archer Norris partner Bob Hinton supports the CABL mission to promote reform in the laws and the administration of justice as it continues its quest for equality and empowerment.
Participate in CA State Bar Council on Access and Fairness
Partner Bob Hinton participated in the Legal Profession Committee of the California State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness focus group. The Council advises the Board of Governors on advancing State Bar diversity strategies and goals. Specifically, it aims to increase opportunities in the legal profession, develop leadership positions and educate students about career opportunities in the law.
Belong to Charles Houston Bar Association
Archer Norris partner and Diversity Committee member André Hill is a member of the Charles Houston Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Bar Association representing the interests of African American lawyers, judges and law students throughout Northern California.
Contribute to Contra Costa Bar Association Diversity Programs
Archer Norris attorneys are active in the Contra Costa County Bar Association Women’s Section and Diversity Section. Lonnie Yu and Grace Lee serve on the board for the Women’s section to further the advancement of women in the legal profession and judiciary. The Women’s section is an affiliate of California Women Lawyers. Mike Osborne belongs to the Diversity Section to advance the goals and interests of attorneys, law students, legal professionals, and residents of color and other under-represented groups within Contra Costa County.
Sponsor Equal Rights Advocacy
Archer Norris annually joins about 1,000 men and women to celebrate the anniversary of ERA’s mission to protect and secure equal rights and economic opportunities for women through litigation and advocacy. We continue to support this worthwhile organization, which has led the legal fight for women’s equality for more than 30 years.
Support Filipino Bar Association of Northern California
Archer Norris associate Carlos Jimenez is an active member of the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC). FBANC offers legal clinics and seminars, and serves its membership through scholarships and networking events.
Participate in Financial Women’s Association
Several Archer Norris attorneys, including partner Kim Scala, are active members of the Financial Women’s Association. The organization serves a broad range of executive and managerial-level women in finance and financial services.
Active in Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County
Archer Norris attorney Trajan Perez is active in the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County. The association promotes education, unity, and excellence in the Hispanic legal community.
Involved in Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
his involvement with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, partner César Alvarado serves as a legal resource for Chamber members, and does his part to uphold the Chamber’s mission to create, promote and enhance business opportunities for its membership.
Spoke at International Association of Korean Lawyers
Archer Norris partner Jiyon Yun is member of the International Association of Korean Lawyers. She moderated a panel, “Women in the Legal Profession,” at the recently held 13th Annual International Association of Korean Lawyers' Conference in Seoul, South Korea.
Sponsor Korean American Bar Association of Northern California
Partner Jiyon Yun serves as a board member for the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California, and fellow Archer Norris associates James Jirn, Lonnie Yu and Grace Lee also participate in KABA activities. Archer Norris is proud to be a silver sponsor of KABA, and to support its goal of encouraging and promoting the professional growth of Korean-American lawyers and law students in Northern California.
Involved in La Raza Lawyers of California
Archer Norris partner Cesar Alvarado actively participates in the East Bay chapter of La Raza Lawyers of California. The organization supports Chicano and Latino Lawyers in California and serves as a statewide network for local affiliate La Raza Lawyers Groups representing over 2,000 attorneys.
Contribute to Minority Trial Lawyer, ABA Section of Litigation
As an Editorial Board Member, partner Bob Hinton facilitates discussion of the impact of race on the law, and vice versa, addressing issues of racial bias in the courts and the profession, and promoting programs to prepare minority students for careers in the law.
Help with National Association of Women Judges Color of Justice Program
Associate Lonnie Yu was invited to be on the planning committee for the Color of Justice presentation, which is attended by several bay area judges. The purpose of the Color of Justice program is to encourage minority students in the seventh through twelfth grades to consider the law and judgeships as career goals.
Active in Queen’s Bench Bar Association
Archer Norris attorneys, including special counsel Jocelyn Soriano, are active in the Queen’s Bench Bar Association, including our recent sponsorship of the Annual Judges Dinner. Queen’s Bench seeks to advance the interests of women in law and society, and plays an integral part in furthering the progress of women in the legal profession.
Active in South Asian Bar Association of Southern California
Associate Chetna Vora regularly attends functions through the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California. As one of the oldest and largest South Asian bar organizations in the country, SABA-SC is dedicated to the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys as well as attorneys interested in issues affecting the South Asian community.