COVID-19: Guidance and Updates LEARN MORE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION “Inclusion is the manifestation of diversity in action.” HOME / ABOUT US / DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Diversity and inclusion are not buzzwords for us, but rather a set of principles that we incorporate into our daily work. We created our Diversity and Inclusion Program (“DIP”) to focus on implementing programming within the firm that is designed to foster inclusivity among attorneys and staff and welcomes an open and respectful exchange of values. And yet, inclusion of individuals irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or disability status is not accomplished by internal change alone. Because collaboration maximizes the chances of achieving diversity and inclusion, we continuously engage in outreach to our community. Our lawyers and staff are always working to contribute to a more open and diverse legal profession by partnering with and holding leadership roles in organizations that support diversity and inclusion as core principles of their organizations. THE DIP COMMITTEE The DIP Committee includes a diverse group of attorneys and staff who are committed to creating and providing opportunities for the under-represented and support the advancement of diversity in the firm and in our communities. The committee, chaired by Attorney Chanae L. Wood, collaborates on a regular basis to focus on our four key Diversity and Inclusion initiatives–Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, LGBTQ, and Mentorship. ATTORNEY MEMBERS Lillian M. Arango Katherine Chin Brooke L. Ehrlich Elen C. Gantner Alicia Gonzalez Alen H. Hsu Joseph Natiello Chanae L. Wood PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS Linda Brewley Maria Cerice Liddia Dunkleberger Millie Ramos-Pombo Monique Sarraff-Ravelo Sara Zavala RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES INITIATIVE The Racial and Ethnic Minorities Initiative seeks to support and encourage the professional development of racial and ethnic minority attorneys. We focus our efforts on diverse recruitment and retention and sustaining a positive and supportive environment for the firm’s diverse attorneys. WOMEN INITIATIVE The Women Initiative endeavors to enhance the careers of professional women by providing guidance, support, and networking opportunities at all levels of career development. The firm recognizes the difficulty of harmonizing the demands of law practice and full-time lives; therefore, we provide attorneys with the flexibility to balance their families, careers, and interests. LGBTQ INITIATIVE For years, the firm has supported the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ attorneys. Historically, the firm has been a welcoming environment for openly LGBTQ attorneys, who have held and continue to hold significant leadership roles at our firm, including participating in hiring and compensation decisions. Our attorneys and staff continue to partner with and strengthen organizations seeking to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ people and organizations. MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE The firm has committed to including more diverse attorneys in the pipeline to the legal profession. Our Diversity Internship Program is designed to afford first-year law students attending South Florida law schools, students who are a part of the Florida Memorial University (FMU) Legal Scholars program, and students in the Paralegal Studies program at Broward College (BC) the opportunity for paid summer employment. To be eligible, students must demonstrate a clear commitment to or interest in diversity and inclusion (this may include, among other things, being a member of a protected category based on disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression or demonstrating a clear historical commitment to diversity or inclusion activities). Students who participate in the Firm’s ten-week summer program will be afforded the rare opportunity to gain professional experience by working side-by-side with attorneys in our various practice groups. Click here for more information. RELATED NEWS In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, WSHC+B Partner and Summer Law Clerk Interview Florida’s first Korean American circuit court judge June 15, 2021 In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, WSHC+B partner, Alen Hsu, and summer law clerk, Kayla Wong, interviewed Florida’s first Korean American circuit court judge in the Ninth [...] READ MORE Press Conference: Florida Memorial University and Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Launch Program to Foster Next Generation of Black Lawyers May 27, 2021 Miami, FL–May 27, 2021– Florida Memorial University (FMU) and the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman (WSHC+B), will kickstart the FMU Legal Scholars Pipeline Program [...] READ MORE Brett J. Schneider and Chanae L. Wood Recognized as DBR Florida Legal Awards Honorees March 29, 2021 The Daily Business Review recognized two of the firm’s attorneys for their achievements in the legal profession. Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Division Brett J. Schneider was [...] READ MORE Weiss Serota Hosts Women’s History Month Conference with Legal Industry and Community Leaders March 26, 2021 WHAT: South Florida law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman is hosting a virtual event, the “Women’s History Month Conference – Year of the Woman: Exploring the Legal Landscape.” The [...] READ MORE MORE NEWS & EVENTS ABOUT WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE & BIERMAN, P.L. Our firm is the product of innovative thinking. In 1991, our founders saw a need in the South Florida legal market for a high-end, boutique firm dedicated to a small number of integrated practice areas. More than 30 years later, we continue to outpace sophisticated market players with focused practice groups, teamwork and a zealous commitment to our clients. LEARN MORE QUICK LINKS Home About Us Attorneys Practice Divisions What We Think What’s Going On Contact OUR OFFICES Miami T. (305) 854-0800 Ft. Lauderdale T. 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