Belinda Martinez Vega, co-chair of the Commercial Litigation California Practice Group, focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, including matters involving unfair business practices, securities litigation, contract disputes, and fraud. Belinda also represents clients in wrongful death and collision cases. She has significant experience in all aspects of litigation, from discovery to depositions, trial, and appellate work. Belinda offers practical solutions while minimizing litigation risk, and defends employers against false accusations, discrimination, breach of contract, and various other claims while in compliance with both complex California state and federal employment laws. In addition, she has been actively involved in counseling clients on corporate compliance and conducts internal investigations in response to government inquiries and allegations of misconduct.

In a now famous Oscar speech from 2018, Frances McDormand encouraged more diverse hiring in the film industry. “I have two words to leave you with tonight,” she told the audience as she accepted her Best Actress trophy,—“Inclusion Rider.” Most viewers had no idea what she meant, prompting immediate online searches of the term.

Prior to this, April Reign had created the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite in response to the lack of diversity at the 2015 Oscars, when all twenty acting nominations were awarded to white actors. This criticism of an awards season that failed to reflect the actual makeup of those working in the industry and of movie-goers nationwide seemed to take the Academy by surprise. The issue persisted, however, when the miniseries Hollywood, about a diverse group of aspiring actors and filmmakers trying to make their dreams come true during the post-World War II era, hit our screens this spring. While some criticized the tone, writing, and artistic license taken, many viewed the show as illustrative of what Hollywood could have been if it had allowed for more diversity, both in front of and behind the camera.Continue Reading The Academy’s New Standards For Best Picture—A Bold Chapter In The Name of Inclusivity