Feb. 15, 2014

LA attorney lauded for promoting diversity in the legal profession

The American Bar Association honored retired corporate attorney and business executive Wendy C. Shiba of Los Angeles with the 2014 Spirit of Excellence Award on Feb. 8 for her work in promoting a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession. Shiba, who most recently served as the executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of KB Home, one of the nation's largest homebuilders, is also immediate past president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Her 30-year career included stints in private practice, government, teaching and as executive officer for three top U.S. companies. Shiba's also served as corporate chair of the City of Philadelphia Law Department, as a tenured associate professor of law at Temple University School of Law, her alma mater, and as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. "Wendy Shiba is not only a brilliant lawyer, but she is also a leader in our noble profession," said Reginald M. Turner Jr., chair of the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. "Her work in the public and private sectors, in academia and in service to others has always been characterized by a commitment to excellence. Wendy richly deserves the ABA Spirit of Excellence Award." — Jean Yung