Leading Northern California Trial Firm Recognized for Efforts to Advance Diversity

SAN JOSE – The Diversity Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association (SCCBA), in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Bar, Black Lawyers and La Raza Lawyers Associations, will present McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm, with the Unsung Hero Award.  The honor recognizes the firm for its efforts to advance diversity in the legal profession in Santa Clara County and for its participation with the SCCBA in those efforts. 

In addition to McManis Faulkner, the Hon. Erica Yew and Ash Kalra will be presented awards at a reception on Oct. 7, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at the Fallon House Gardens, 175 W. St. John Street, San Jose, Calif.

“We are extremely honored to receive this award.  Our support of diversity is simply a part of doing good business.  We understand that the best teams, whether legal or otherwise, take advantage of and value the differences in perspective offered by their various members.  While we are best known for trying cases, as a firm, we are active supporters of local organizations and activities that foster compassion and justice for our fellow citizens,” said James McManis, head of the firm.

Added Neda Mansoorian, the firm’s Chief Legal Officer, “McManis Faulkner is dedicated to breaking barriers for minorities in the legal profession.  We are a very diverse firm that is dominated by women, and as such, we strive to be the leader in the Silicon Valley diversity drive within the legal profession and beyond.”

The Unsung Heroes Awards recognize those organizations or individuals, regardless of ethnicity, that demonstrate a long-standing commitment to advancing, effecting or promoting diversity in the legal profession; and promoting equal access to the administration of justice for individuals, particularly minorities.  Honorees are chosen by a subcommittee of the Diversity Committee.

In addition to the firm’s sponsoring a number of professional and community positions promoting diversity, McManis Faulkner has hosted countless events to raise awareness about the need for diversity and to urge other law firms and members of the bar to take concrete actions to promote minorities to leadership roles. 

McManis Faulkner attorneys and staff also work with many local organizations and participate on the boards and committees of other local non-profits, such as Adopt-A-Family, AIDS Legal Referral Panel of San Francisco, AIDS Walk, Girl Scouts of Northern California, Support Network for Battered Women and Child Advocates of San Mateo.

About McManis Faulkner:

McManis Faulkner, a San Jose, Calif.-based trial firm, provides a full range of services, representing both corporations and individuals through trial and appeal.  The firm handles a wide range of litigation, including business, civil rights, class actions, criminal, employment, family, general civil, intellectual property, personal injury, probate, and professional negligence.  With experienced, well-trained trial lawyers and staff, McManis prides itself on its diversity – beyond ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, women comprise a majority of the firm’s management and staff.  On the Web:  www.mcmanislaw.com.