McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm, has been named one of the Top Workplaces in the Bay Area by the Bay Area News Group. Ranked second in the “Top Small Workplaces” category, McManis Faulkner was the only law firm to make the list.
“We are very honored to be recognized as a Top Workplace. To enable attorneys and staff to serve our clients and their needs, we believe the office needs to be a place with purpose, diversity, fellowship and support for all,” said James McManis, founder and head of the firm. “Since McManis Faulkner is known for trying cases and securing successful client outcomes, this type of recognition demonstrates it really is the team that makes it possible.”
The rankings in the Top Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Workplace Dynamics, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention. Ten large companies, 15 midsize companies and 35 small companies were ranked after surveys were submitted by employees. Rankings were composite scores calculated on the basis of employee responses about company leadership, compensation and training, diversity/inclusion, career development, family-friendly flexibility and values and ethics. Private companies and non-profits, as well as publicly held businesses, were included in the analysis.
In the survey, McManis Faulkner was applauded for its commitment to preserving and retaining staff members who are proven professionals who are dedicated to their work but who need to address family issues. The firm offers flexible work plans that allow staff members, who have been with the firm for two or more years, to propose mutually beneficial work plans. In addition, as a small firm, McManis Faulkner is able to offer employees a true “open door” policy, with access to a senior staff member who enjoys coaching younger professionals.
A commitment to the professional and business communities also contributes to the firm’s Top Workplace status. McManis Faulkner has hosted countless events to raise awareness about the need for diversity and to urge other law firms and members of the Bar to take concrete actions to promote minorities to leadership roles. These efforts were recently recognized by the Diversity Committee of the Bar Association of Silicon Valley, which presented the firm with the Unsung Hero Award.
In addition, McManis Faulkner maintains strong ties to the dynamic South Bay community—particularly through its pro bono work. The firm previously won the Honorable Robert F. Peckham Award for Outstanding Public Interest Litigation and, more recently, represented the Santa Clara County Bar Association in preparing an amicus brief on its behalf before the California Supreme Court in the California Marriage Cases.
McManis Faulkner attorneys and staff also work with many local organizations and participate on the boards and committees of other non-profits, such as the Pajama Program, Adopt-A-Family, AIDS Legal Referral Panel of San Francisco, AIDS Walk, Girl Scouts of Northern California, Support Network for Battered Women and Child Advocates of San Mateo.
Bay Area News Group is the number one news source in the Bay Area. Its newspapers and online products reach more than 2.7 million adults over the course of one week. It is part of the California Newspapers Partnership, the largest publisher of daily newspapers in California. CNP is co-owned by Media News Group of Denver, the managing partner; Gannett Co. of McLean, Va., and Stephens Media of Las Vegas.