Berliner Cohen, LLP is honored to be the recipient of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley’s (“APABA-SV”) Beacon Award for Diversity in recognition of the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the legal profession, and the greater community.
Diversity has been one of Berliner Cohen’s core values from inception. Our co-founder, Stan Berliner, and his wife, personally donate their time and financial resources to numerous community programs, activities, and charitable events that reflect the diversity of our communities. Stan Berliner’s leadership paved the way for attorneys at Berliner to become involved with diverse programs and affinity groups, such as the Cristo Rey San Jose Corporate Work Study Program, the Asian Law Alliance, and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley.
Berliner Cohen’s commitment to the community is not limited to financial resources. Our attorneys proudly serve in various leadership roles with local nonprofit and community organizations. Berliner Cohen is honored that one of its senior female associates was elected and serves as Dean of Lincoln Law School, which has enabled us to extend our community reach and impact. Currently, our attorneys are involved with more than 60 organizations serving minority and underprivileged populations in Northern California. We serve in local organizations and assist these community entities in matters including business needs, governance by way of board membership, planned giving, and employment issues. These organizations include Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE), Youth Focus, Inc., Hospice of the Valley, Community Hospice, Inc., Santa Clara County Senior Care Commission, and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, among many others. Our commitment is to enhance these organizations, promote their sustainability, and augment the services they provide to their clients and donors.
Berliner Cohen is committed to creating a firm culture that values each individual’s contributions to our community. Berliner Cohen supports organizations that fund scholarships and support academic programs for minority and female students in the legal profession, such as the APABA-SV Scholarship Program, the Santa Clara County Bar Association’s Bay Area Minority Summer Clerkship Program, and the Philanthropic Education Organization. Our attorneys promote diversity and advancement of minorities first and foremost in the workplace by providing alternative work schedules for staff and attorneys, paying for and sponsoring degree and professional development programs, through mentorship, and through encouraging each staff member to excel to their highest potential.
Women along with minority partners and attorneys play a critical role in the leadership of the firm and in the organizations outside of it. We strive to create a partnership and legal staff that reflects the diversity of our community, enriching us with various perspectives and experiences that enhance both our strategies for our clients and our contributions to the legal profession and the larger community.
Berliner Cohen is honored to receive this distinction from APABA-SV and we look forward to continuing our diversity and inclusion efforts in the coming years.
For more information about the APABA-SV 2016 Diversity Awards, click here.