Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion has been one of Bird Marella’s priorities for four decades. We understand that diversity is essential—to creating a dynamic firm culture that is informed by differing perspectives, and to our ability to provide our clients with the highest level of legal service.
A CULTURE OF INCLUSION
Bird Marella takes pride in its diversity and is constantly striving to reinforce our inclusive, collegial, and multigenerational culture. With 50% of our principals, 60% of our associates and counsel, and 57% of our support staff identifying as women, LGTBQ+, or diverse, we value the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our attorneys and staff.
DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Our Diversity Committee, comprised of principals, associates and staff members, works to support diversity and inclusion both within the firm and the community through service, advocacy, and education. Among its many initiatives are efforts to promote and support local organizations focused on diversity issues, in addition to supporting BIPOC-owned local businesses.
The Diversity Committee also works with our Pro Bono Committee to identify and partner with organizations to address systemic issues of inequality and support organizations committed to the advancement of marginalized communities.
All attorneys and staff are eligible to receive billable credit for time devoted to volunteering with charitable organizations with racial justice or diversity and inclusion initiatives, or public interest organizations that benefit underserved groups or communities.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON LEGAL DIVERSITY
Bird Marella has partnered with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) to serve as the Los Angeles Lead for the LCLD’s Success in Law School Mentoring Program. The LCLD is a 320-member national organization consisting of general counsels and managing partners of law firms devoted to creating a more diverse legal profession in the United States.
The Success in Law School Mentoring Program serves first-year law students from diverse backgrounds, matching them with mentors from local LCLD Member Organizations who provide guidance and strategies for success in law school and beyond. Through a combination of individual and group mentoring, LCLD gives talented law students the mentoring they need to reach their full potential.
As the City Lead for Los Angeles, Bird Marella has assumed primary responsibility for coordinating with law firms and law schools throughout Los Angeles to facilitate the program’s individual and group mentorship to local 1L law students.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
We have been recognized by national legal publications as one of the best law firms for minorities in the country, and our lawyers are consistently recognized as among the top women and minority lawyers in Los Angeles and California.
Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys, Law360
Most Influential Women Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal
Most Influential Minority Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal
Top 100 Women Lawyers, Daily Journal
Top 50 Women Lawyers, Daily Journal
Trailblazer Award, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
Impact Lawyer of the Year, Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Women’s Summit Nominee, Los Angeles Business Journal
Law Firm Diversity Award, National Asian Pacific Bar Association
ORGANIZATIONS WE PARTNER WITH
Since the firm’s inception, Bird Marella and its attorneys and staff have worked closely with organizations committed to improving diversity and social equality and providing leadership and mentoring opportunities for minorities.
American Jewish Committee
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (AJ-LA)
Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA)
Bet Tzedek
California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP)
Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF)
Council of Korean Americans
Disability Rights Legal Center
Hispanic National Bar Association
Homeless Health Care Los Angeles
Inner City Law Center
International Association of Korean Lawyers (IAKL)
Korean American Bar Association (KABA)
Korean American Coalition (KAC)
Korean American League for Civic Action
Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
Korean Community Lawyers Association (KCLA)
Lambda Legal
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)
Lennox Educational Advancement Foundation
LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Mexican American Bar Association (MABA)
National Asian Pacific Bar Association (NAPABA)
Network of Korean American Leaders (NETKAL)
One Justice
People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)
Public Counsel
South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC)
Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA)
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Vestry
The Jewish Foundation
US-Korea Law Foundation
Verbum Dei High School
Western Law on Law & Poverty
Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA)