Cox, Castle & Nicholson, a Los Angeles-based, 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 and inclusion (DEI) officer. Vaz will serve as a DEI ambassador, internally and externally, and will work closely with firm management to advance, create and implement its strategic short- and long-term DEI plans. Vaz also will continue to chair the firm’s DEI committee.
Vaz has been with the firm for over two decades. Under her 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, the firm said.
“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 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. She 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.
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.
