"CPM's employees come from all walks of life, and we strive every day to foster a culture of inclusion and respect."
- Darren G. Kelley, Director of Human Resources
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
"The time is always right to do what is right."—Martin Luther King, Jr.
CPM knows that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive law firm is a more innovative and successful one. CPM's employees come from different backgrounds and walks of life, and their unique experiences and insights contribute to the richness and vibrancy of our offices. Across our employees, we embrace diversity of background, perspective, culture, and experience, and together we have been working to fight injustice and inequity for decades.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not new or news. We have a long history of promoting women, people of color, and other diverse individuals to the firm’s leadership. Forty-two percent of our partners are women. Most of our partners are working parents. And many of our attorneys and staff identify with at least one diversity factor.
As part of CPM’s commitment to making both the legal profession and justice system more accessible to everyone, CPM has established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to enhance our existing supportive and welcoming workplace environment, where employees of all backgrounds and demographic characteristics can work together collaboratively. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of a thriving workplace and community. CPM actively recruits talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds in recognition that a diverse workplace is a strong workplace. The DEI Committee and its leadership are committed to making CPM reflective of America and our clients.
Diversity Committee
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Meet CPM's DEI Committee Co-Chairs, Elizabeth Castillo and Karin Swope. If you would like to learn more about CPM’s commitment to DEI, please contact Liz or Karin for more information.
Diversity Award
The San Mateo County Bar Association Diversity Committee presented our founding partner, Joseph W. Cotchett, with the first ever Diversity Award in 2011. California Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye presented this honor to Cotchett, stating that he achieved the award by “demonstrating a meaningful and consistent commitment to increasing and maintaining diversity in San Mateo County at all levels of the legal profession.”
DEI Testimonials
"Three former CPM Partners are currently sitting judges -- all women -- more than any other firm of its size in California."
- Nanci E. Nishimura, Partner
"CPM understands that diversity leads to stronger advocacy and better outcomes for its clients. Its diverse staff is its greatest asset."
- Nazy J. Fahimi, Partner
CPM Celebrates Black History Month
CPM celebrates Black History Month in February 2023 with coffee catered by Black-owned local business, Sextant Coffee Roasters. Sextant Coffee Roasters works directly with farmers across Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, and elsewhere, and served some of the word’s finest espresso-based coffee drinks to CPM’s employees.
CPM Celebrates Women's History Month
CPM celebrates Women’s History Month in March 2023 with “Trivia Night” on women past and present who have helped shape our world. CPM employees from various offices engaged in a friendly competition to determine who knew their trailblazing women best and remember the women who paved the way for humankind’s achievements.
CPM Celebrates Diversity Month
CPM celebrates Diversity Month in April 2023 by recognizing and celebrating the beautiful tapestry of our employees’ unique cultures, backgrounds, and rich traditions. As part of this celebration, CPM held a potluck celebration and invited employees and their families.
CPM Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
CPM recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2023 by hosting a fitness/wellness class led by a local dance teacher. The class focused on movement, thoughtfulness, and de-stressing.
CPM is a Proud Sponsor of the LGBTQ Community
CPM is proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club’s Annual Pride Breakfast on June 25, 2023. Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), the former House speaker, addressed the crowd at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Speakers at the Annual Pride Breakfast touched on the LGBTQ community’s victories but remained cognizant of the current backlash underway, particularly against transpeople and drag artists. They praised the LGBTQ community and reminded people of the stakes both now and in the 2024 elections.
CPM Observes National Hispanic Heritage Month
CPM observes National Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2023 with delicious paletas from Pepitos Paletas in San Francisco. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.