Press Releases

Women Make Up Nearly One-Third of Firm’s Partners

For Immediate Release: Sept. 30, 2013
Media Contact: Jennifer Bowles • 951.826.8480 • jennifer.bowles@BBKlaw.com

RIVERSIDE, Calif. _ Best Best & Krieger LLP ranked No. 2 among California's largest law firms for having the highest percentage of female partners, according to a survey by California Lawyer magazine.

Women at BB&K, which has about 180 attorneys working in nine offices across California and in Washington D.C., make up 32.6 percent of the firm’s partners, according to the survey published in the magazine’s September issue.

“BB&K has a long tradition of supporting women by not only helping to advance our legal careers but by promoting women to key management positions within the firm,” said Cynthia M. Germano, a partner who manages the firm’s Riverside office and sits on the executive committee, which makes management decisions for the law firm.

Women at BB&K manage the firm’s two largest offices: Germano in Riverside and Arlene Prater in San Diego. In addition, Germano and Stacey Sheston, a partner in Sacramento, make up two of the five members of the firm’s executive committee. Germano, Prater and Sheston are members of the firm’s labor and employment practice, which is overseen by Alison D. Alpert, a partner in the San Diego office. Danielle Sakai, a Riverside environmental attorney and partner, oversees the firm’s recruiting committee. Kira Klatchko, a partner in Indian Wells, oversees the appellate group and is the only appellate law specialist in Riverside County who is certified by the State Bar of California.

“Diversity in a law firm encourages the exchange of a variety of ideas and perspectives, which allow us to offer our clients comprehensive legal and business solutions,” said Eric Garner, BB&K managing partner.

Findings in the California Lawyer survey are based on data collected from the 50 largest law firms in the state that responded to the survey. Overall, BB&K ranked as the state’s 30th largest firm on this year’s annual list, up one from 2012.

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Eds Note: When the September issue of California Lawyer magazine was first published, BB&K was ranked third in the state for highest percentage of female partners. The magazine later changed the ranking on its website after another law firm had submitted incorrect info. Please see magazine’s explanation here.