Diversity: Buchalter Nemer, A Professional Corporation

Buchalter Nemer values and supports the goals of diversity and equality in the legal profession and in the practice of law.

Diversity and multiculturalism are integral parts of our Firm's culture, and the Firm prides itself on its support for increasing racial, cultural and gender representation. This commitment to equal opportunity is proudly reflected in the Firm's staff, attorneys and management.

Buchalter Nemer has a large and growing percentage of female and minority attorneys. The firm's shareholders are actively involved in training and mentoring female and minority associates to advance within the firm and in their professions. To that end, the firm has established a Business Development Academy and recently revamped its long-standing mentoring program with the ultimate goal of advancement to shareholder status and firm leadership.

In furtherance of the firm's diversity goals, Buchalter Nemer has established a Diversity Committee to better address the changing needs of its clients and the community. The Diversity Committee coordinates the Firm's efforts to achieve its equal opportunity and diversity objectives, and provides guidance to the Firm in its diversity hiring and retention goals. Buchalter Nemer values and supports the goals of diversity and equality in the legal profession and in the practice of law. The Firm actively encourages and works to enable all of its attorneys to advance and to achieve leadership positions in the Firm and in the profession, and provides the necessary training, tools and support for them to do so.

The firm is participating in a national committee, established by CPR, to address the need to increase diversity in the profession. Richard Ormond, who is Hispanic, and Karen Stevenson, who is African American, meet regularly with CPR to address this issue and to develop strategies to (1) increase minority applications to law schools; (2) decrease the drop out rate of minority law students; (3) create recruitment opportunities for minority law students; and (4) increase the amount of diverse mediators, arbitrators and neutrals.

Further, many of the firm's attorneys are active members of the Hispanic National Bar Association, and participate in community efforts to increase the number of practicing Hispanic attorneys. The firms partners and associates are encouraged to be and are extremely active in other various organizations for women attorneys, African American attorneys, Pan-Pacific Islander and Asian attorneys, and Gay Lesbian and Transgender attorneys. Buchalter Nemer is also a proud sponsor of many non-profit organizations that assist the diverse local communities in which its offices are located. For example, Buchalter Nemer is a proud sponsor of Uncommon Good, a non-profit that focuses on providing legal services to persons underrepresented in the legal system. Most of the participants in the program are of Hispanic or African American origin. Along with being a significant contributor over the years, the firm hosts an annual fundraiser to raise money for this important group. This is one of the many activities the firm's diversity committee and the firm undertake to raise community awareness and be proactive within our local communities.