On August 31, Gordon & Rees' San Francisco, San Diego and Orange County offices simultaneously hosted a Diversity Reception for second year law students (2L) in each of their cities. This was Gordon & Rees' first year organizing receptions in different cities. Each event was a resounding success.

The receptions are held so minority 2L law students can meet G&R attorneys, learn about the firm, and submit their resumes for consideration in our summer associate program. Over 150 students and more than 65 G&R attorneys attended in all three cities. Skip McCowan, Chair of the Diversity Committee, remarked:

I know of no other law firm in California, and probably the country, that had a similar event. We met many outstanding young people, some of whom will hopefully become summer associates at one of our offices. As the Chair of the Diversity Committee, I want to personally thank all the people who worked to make this state-wide event so successful.

San Francisco:

The San Francisco office held its reception at the Hyatt Regency where 100 energetic law school students from various Bay Area law schools spoke with more than 60 G&R attorneys. Addressing the students were Gordon & Rees' founders, Stuart Gordon and Donald Rees; San Francisco Managing Partner, Sara Thorpe; Diversity Chairperson, Skip McCowan; Summer Associate Program Chair, Matthew Foy; and Associate, Rupa Bhadari (a former 2L Diversity Reception attendee).

San Diego:

The San Diego Diversity Reception also enjoyed a tremendous turnout of enthusiastic students and equally enthusiastic G&R attorneys. Peter Olson welcomed the students and reaffirmed G&R's commitment to its summer associate program and diversity initiatives. The students spoke highly of the event and several commented how many of our attorneys took the time to meet with them and discuss their practices.

Los Angeles and Orange Counties:

Orange County hosted more than 20 students from various law schools in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Patricia Lee-Gulley, also the Vice Chair of the State Bar's Ethnic Minority Relations Committee, and Manuel Saldana, greeted the 2L students where many students received their first glimpse into "attorney life" at an AmLaw 200 law firm. Stephen Waimey gave the official welcome and encouraged the students to learn more about the many facets of the legal profession from the G&R attorneys in attendance.

Patricia spoke about G&R's diversity commitment. She described G&R's involvement with diversity initiatives through local and State bar associations and organizations. Kristi Collins, Orange County's 2006 summer associate, gave an enthusiastic testimonial about her past summer experience.

The reception presented an opportunity for the G&R attorneys to meet impressive prospective summer associate candidates and to give back to the legal community in an outreach reception.