Barristers Club members Cometria Cooper, University of San Francisco School of Law, and Peter Catalanotti, Freeman Mathis & Gary, were honored at the 9th Annual Barristers Diversity Award Reception on September 6. This year’s reception was sponsored by Freeman Mathis & Gary and Baker McKenzie.

Barristers Board Member Natascha Fastabend and USF School of Law Professor Susan Freiwald, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, accepted the award on Cooper’s behalf. Freiwald noted Cooper “has always been particularly invested in diversity and inclusion efforts, and her goal has always been to capture the attention of as many students as possible to create a nurturing pipeline into the profession.” In addition to her work at USF, Cometria is past president of the Charles Houston Bar Association and general counsel of the Oakland NAACP.

Catalanotti was recognized for his work as co-chair of BASF’s Equality Committee on LGBT Issues, and for his leadership roles with Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom and the National LGBT Bar Association. In accepting his award, Catalanotti spoke passionately about how “this award motivates me to push further and do more.”

More photos from the event can be found on BASF’s page on Facebook.