(October 19, 2017) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, recently earned the 2017 Hope Award for Diversity from the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA Silicon Valley). The firm was selected based on its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the legal profession and the greater community. Shareholder John Hong, based in San Francisco, accepted the award on Littler’s behalf at the APABA Silicon Valley gala ceremony.
“It is an honor to receive the Hope Award for Diversity from APABA Silicon Valley for our diversity and inclusion efforts,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “Littler strives to lead and set the standard for diversity and inclusion in the practice of law and the many communities in which our attorneys live and work.”
Hong added: “I am thrilled that the firm was recognized by the APABA of Silicon Valley for our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. At Littler, we have institutionalized this commitment – from recruiting diverse summer associates through elevating these associates to shareholder. We know that our work here is an ongoing journey, and we remain devoted to enhancing and building upon what we have started.”
Littler recruits and develops talent through several meaningful programs and initiatives, including the award-winning Career Advocacy Program (CAP) – an internal initiative designed to identify and support diverse attorneys for promotion within the firm’s management and leadership tracks. The program has been a tremendous success. Protégés in CAP represented 26 percent of the new shareholder class in 2017, including two Asian-American attorneys, and 40 percent of the new shareholder class in 2016, including five Asian-American attorneys.
Littler also invests in internal affinity groups for diverse attorneys – ‘Ohana, Bollo, Pride and Reunión – as well as the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which provides support, development and networking opportunities within the firm. Specifically, the ‘Ohana group gathers predominantly Asian-American attorneys of Littler to network and discuss firm and diversity initiatives, including associate development, mentorship, retention programs and opportunities to leverage skills in order to better service clients. ‘Ohana, which now has 60 members, held its first biennial retreat in San Francisco in 2007 with 23 members. This year, the group celebrated its 10th anniversary with a retreat in Santa Monica.
In addition to Littler’s initiatives and programs, the firm sponsors and supports a number of national diversity organizations, including several Asian-American organizations, such as the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, that are dedicated to advancing opportunities for Asian-Americans. Also, members of the firm hold leadership roles with national and local Asian-American organizations that allow them to support and engage in the community.
About Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley
Formed over 30 years ago, APABA Silicon Valley is a forum for Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys in the Silicon Valley to network, develop professional skills, participate in community service, take positions on issues affecting the APA community and empower APAs in the valley.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,300 attorneys in over 75 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for 75 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing member entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.
