Cox Castle’s Alicia Vaz Recognized as DEI Executive of the Year (Mid-Sized Company) Honoree by The Los Angeles Business Journal
LOS ANGELES-March 29, 2024- Cox, Castle & Nicholson Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Alicia Vaz was recognized as a “2024 DEI Executive of the Year (Mid-Sized Company) Honoree” by The Los Angeles Business Journal. Alicia was recognized for her ongoing efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace and business leadership while simultaneously creating an equitable environment. She received the acknowledgement at The Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Symposium & Awards on March 21st.
For years, Alicia has played a key role in championing Cox Castle’s efforts to increase diversity within the firm and in the legal community at large. Under Alicia’s guidance, Cox Castle has increased overall awareness of DEI issues within the firm to create a positive work environment that encourages awareness and understanding of diverse voices and why they are important. This includes providing training and tools to build awareness and understanding within the firm such as a DEI speaker series and DEI Challenges.
Alicia was influential in Cox Castle’s decision to participate in 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. DEI is a top priority for Cox Castle and participation in the second cohort of the Midsize Mansfield Rule is part of Cox Castle’s commitment to recruit, develop, and promote diverse lawyers. Under Alicia’s tutelage, Cox Castle has achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus status, which signifies that in addition to successfully meeting the consideration and transparency requirements, Cox Castle has met the goal of at least 30% representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in current leadership roles and pipeline activities.
Alicia also helped Cox Castle establish an endowment at UCLA to award tuition and aid to incoming students who demonstrate significant financial need and 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 or challenges.
In addition, Alicia helped Cox Castle create the Mario Camara 1L Diversity Scholars Program as part of its commitment to continue to promote diversity and inclusivity in the firm and the legal profession, particularly the real estate bar. Named in honor of the firm’s former managing partner Mario Camara, the 1L Diversity Scholars Program is open to first-year law students belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession (such as members of racial or ethnic minority groups, veterans, differently abled students, LGBTQ+ students, and students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds).
To read The Los Angeles Business Journal’s DEI Event recap, visit: 2024-DEI-RECAP_opt.pdf (labusinessjournal.com).
About Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP
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 140 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 multifamily 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.