Rich in diversity, strong in unity. That is the Asian Business Association of Orange County’s (ABAOC) motto. ABAOC is a non-profit organization founded to meet the needs of the growing Asian businesses in Orange County. The goals of ABAOC are to grow and provide value-added programs and projects that will benefit its members. On May 9, 2019, Tressler attorneys Bicvan Brown and Karl Schlecht attended “Small Business Development Day,” one of the value-added programs aimed to help the Orange County Asian-American business owner.
“We had the pleasure of attending such a wonderful event,” said Bicvan Brown. “The keynote speaker delivered an energetic and inspirational story about his journey in the marketing world, a panel of banking professionals provided valuable financial advice and the exhibitors provided much-needed information ranging from merchant payment processing services to how to certify a business as a minority business enterprise.”
It is no surprise that Brown and Schlecht are committed to supporting organizations that celebrate diversity because they come from a law firm, Tressler LLP, that supports diversity. Tressler’s diversity mission is to recruit, retain and promote attorneys, professionals and staff members of diverse backgrounds. Tressler implemented various internal programs and partnered with outside organizations to promote diversity-related goals. Tressler is a member law firm of the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession and the Step Up Women’s Network. In addition, Tressler sponsored and continues to sponsor a wide-ranging series of diversity-related events and programs.
“As a Vietnamese woman, knowing that my law firm is committed to supporting diverse organizations as well as fostering and promoting diversity in the workplace is extremely important,” said Bicvan Brown. “I represent business owners in employment disputes. Having knowledge and understanding of different cultures and backgrounds not only allows me to become a better lawyer but a better person.”
ABAOC’s upcoming annual convention is August 29, 2019, and Brown, Schlecht and Tressler look forward to supporting this organization once again.
About Bicvan Brown
Bicvan Brown is an associate in the Employment Litigation practice. She focuses her practice in all aspects of employment matters, including employment trials, arbitrations and mediations. She defends employers while providing advice and counsel against claims such as wage and hour (individual and class actions), PAGA, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and whistleblowing. She defends employers before state and federal agencies such as the EEOC, California Labor Commission and California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. She is fluent in Vietnamese and Spanish and she provides advice about as well as translates workplace policies, employee handbooks and agreements. She regularly speaks at seminars with the purpose of helping employers and their insurers regarding best practices to minimize risk in California.
About Karl Schlecht
Karl Schlecht is a partner in the Employment Litigation practice. He focuses his practice on representing employers and business owners in all aspects of employment matters, including employment discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour, employment class actions, Unfair Competition claims, ADA compliance and proceedings before state and federal agencies such as the EEOC and California’s DLSE and DFEH. He also counsels employers in connection with disciplinary and termination issues and the adoption of workplace policies and procedures. He consults with clients regarding sexual harassment laws and assists in conducting workplace internal investigations.
About ABAOC
For more than 25 years, ABAOC has been a leader in community service in the Asian and small business community in Orange County. Since its establishment, it has successfully organized many major events, including networking mixers, procurement events, and outreach programs through the support of its members, sponsors and community affiliates. ABAOC events and programs inspire and stimulate small business owners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs to grow and prosper through creation of new opportunities, education, networking and community participation. Learn more at https://abaoc.org/.