Farella Braun + Martel Receives First Annual Dell Legal Diversity Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 7, 2013) -  Farella Braun + Martel LLP has been honored with the inaugural Dell Legal Diversity Award. The award, which recognizes a law firm that embraces diversity initiatives, seeks to encourage Dell's outside law firms to use diverse and innovative perspectives in their work on Dell legal matters. 

In March 2012, the Dell Legal Diversity Committee invited more than 50 law firms to respond to a survey as the first step in the Award process. Results were carefully evaluated, and criteria included diverse staffing on Dell matters, firmwide attorney demographics, leadership opportunities provided to diverse attorneys, engagement of diverse third-party service providers, and creation of an inclusive environment. Following submission of the survey was a video interview that provided the firms with an opportunity to demonstrate the success of their diversity initiatives.

Farella was declared the winner of Dell's first award based on the firm's extensive efforts to promote diversity within the legal profession, as well as its 50^th Anniversary "commitment to community" pledge that supports many diversity-related nonprofit organizations.

"We are extremely honored by this award. Diversity is a core value of the firm, and we continue to promote initiatives and activities that increase diversity at the firm and throughout the legal community. Our efforts to share our programs and team with in-house legal departments, bar associations and other private practice firms has created a bridge to diverse populations that has successfully moved the ball forward in working to diversify our profession," said firm chairman Steve Lowenthal. "Touching our local community with our 50^th Anniversary volunteer pledge, the firm enthusiastically supported organizations like ConnectEd, whose design of the Farella Braun + Martel Law and Justice Curriculum credit-recovery program allows diverse student populations to get back on track to high school graduation. Dell's formal recognition of our diversity efforts through this award is particularly rewarding as it demonstrates shared values between our firm and an important client." 

Internally, Farella's Diversity Committee works to ensure equal access to opportunities for professional growth and firm leadership and that recruitment, mentorship and professional development programs welcome and maintain a diverse workforce. Farella has pioneered and open-sourced a Diversity Pipeline Internship Program, which introduces high school students to the practice of law and provides practical skills to pursue higher education. Further, the firm's annual Diversity Scholarship Program funds local diverse or underrepresented first-year law students. 

Farella Braun + Martel represents clients throughout the United States and abroad in sophisticated business transactions and high-stakes commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Founded in 1962, we are headquartered in San Francisco and maintain an office in the Napa Valley that is focused on the wine industry. We are known for our imaginative legal solutions and the dynamism and intellectual creativity of our lawyers. With our unwavering service ethic and interdisciplinary team approach, we are committed to advancing our clients' objectives in the most effective, coordinated and efficient manner. www.fbm.com