ALICIA VAZ
Chief DEI Officer; Partner
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Alicia Vaz is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who specializes in real estate and high-stakes business litigation and dispute resolution, and is co-chair of Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s litigation team.
Vaz is also Cox, Castle & Nicholson’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer and chair of the DEI Committee. For years, she has played a key role in championing Cox Castle’s efforts to increase diversity within the firm and in the legal community at large. Under her guidance, Cox Castle has increased overall awareness of DEI issues within the firm to create a positive work environment that encourages awareness and understanding of diverse voices and why they are important. This includes providing training and tools to build awareness and understanding within the firm such as a DEI speaker series and DEI Challenges.
Vaz was influential in Cox Castle’s decision to participate in Diversity Lab’s Midsize Mansfield Rule certification process, the goal of which is to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in law firms and their leadership. DEI is a top priority for Cox Castle and participation in the second cohort of the Midsize Mansfield Rule is part of Cox Castle’s commitment to recruit, develop and promote diverse lawyers. Under Vaz’s A tutelage, Cox Castle has achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus status, which signifies that in addition to successfully meeting the consideration and transparency requirements, Cox Castle has met the goal of at least 30% representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in current leadership roles and pipeline activities.
