LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cox Castle & Nicholson, a leading full-service law firm specializing in real estate in the United States, announced that Partner Alicia Vaz has been appointed as its first Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer, effective immediately. Vaz will serve as a DEI ambassador, internally and externally, and will work closely with Firm management to advance, create and implement the Firm’s strategic short- and long-term DEI plans. Vaz also will continue to be the Chair of the Firm’s DEI Committee.
Vaz, who has been with the Firm for over two decades, has a proven track record of leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the Firm. Under Vaz’s leadership, the DEI Committee has instituted numerous initiatives, including a DEI speaker series and DEI Challenges to educate and foster awareness about DEI issues. Vaz was instrumental in the Firm’s decision to participate in the current cohort of Diversity Lab’s Midsize Mansfield Rule certification process, the goal of which is to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in law firms and their leadership.
“For years, Alicia has played a key role in championing our efforts to increase diversity within the Firm and in the legal community at large,” said Dwayne McKenzie, managing partner, Cox, Castle & Nicholson. “While also a member of the Firm’s management committee and a leader of the litigation practice, Alicia has brought boundless passion and energy to these DEI efforts. We are thrilled that she will continue to lead and further advance our initiatives as our new Chief DEI Officer.”
Vaz has also encouraged the Firm’s participation in pipeline initiatives designed to enhance diversity within the legal profession. She helped the Firm establish an endowment at UCLA School of Law to award scholarships to incoming law students who have confronted considerable obstacles in life such as socio-economic disadvantage, disability, being the first in their family to attend college, attending under-resourced schools or other extensive hardships. Vaz continues the Firm’s significant involvement with California ChangeLawyers, a foundation dedicated to promoting diversity within the legal profession, by serving as a member of the Board and Chair of its Scholarship Committee, and by mentoring law students who have received diversity scholarships as a result of the Firm’s sponsorship.
“I have been fortunate to have spent my entire career at Cox Castle, during which time we have made significant advancements in DEI initiatives designed to make Cox Castle a place where everyone can be heard and where we encourage and promote an inclusive and innovative workplace,” said Vaz. “DEI not only enhances the Firm’s culture and adds value to the services we provide our clients, but as a diverse litigation partner, it is extremely personal. I am committed to attracting and retaining diverse legal talent, investing in diverse future leaders and further challenging the Firm to create a diverse work environment where our differences are encouraged and valued.”
In her new role, Vaz will focus on establishing and furthering fair and equitable processes and policies, programs and initiatives to promote DEI through education, recruitment and retention, mentoring, professional development and advancement, strategic partnerships and community outreach.
About Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP was founded in Los Angeles in 1968, with the goal of providing superior and comprehensive legal services to businesses, institutions, and individuals in all aspects of the real estate, finance, and construction industries. Cox Castle is now one of the largest full-service law firms specializing in real estate in the United States and has over 130 transactional and litigation attorneys in its Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco offices.
The firm has substantial expertise in matters involving land and improved property acquisitions and dispositions; joint ventures; single and multi-family residential development; land use, entitlement and regulatory compliance (including coastal commission and condemnation); office, industrial, retail and mixed-use development, leasing and management; commercial lending and institutional investment; loan workouts and financial restructuring; construction; resort and hospitality; labor and employment; risk management and insurance; environmental compliance; renewable energy and natural resources; and tax and estate planning. For more information, please visit www.coxcastle.com.
