McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm, announces that Family Law Group Leader and Partner Catherine Bechtel has been honored by the YWCA of Silicon Valley with a 2012 Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award, one of the most prestigious awards given by local and regional YWCAs nationwide.
The TWIN Award program was established in 1984 to honor the outstanding achievements of female executives who have demonstrated excellence in business leadership positions and to pay tribute to the companies in which they work. Bechtel joins a group of honorees selected from Silicon Valley technology, legal, communications, non-profit and healthcare organizations that have acted as successful role models for other women in business, exhibited top-level responsibility in a major functional role, and who have had a substantial impact on the organization’s growth, profitability and innovation.
“Cathy is an invaluable member of our team and an outstanding lawyer. She has earned a reputation for obtaining successful outcomes for our clients in even the trickiest family law cases. Cathy’s leadership and dedication to client service make her deserving of the YWCA’s TWIN Award,” said James McManis, head of McManis Faulkner.
Bechtel is the co-leader of the firm’s Family Law Group, which has been named “The Best Family Law Firm” in The Recorder’s annual survey for two consecutive years. In her practice, Bechtel represents clients in all aspects of marital dissolutions, including custody and visitation, valuation of assets, assessment of support, tracing of separate property reimbursement claims, misappropriation of assets and validity testing of pre-nuptial agreements. She also has experience in assisting clients in international and domestic move-away cases.
A member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, Bechtel received her J.D. from the University of Santa Clara School of Law (1999) and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine (1993).
The YWCA of Silicon Valley has provided services for more than 100 years in Santa Clara County. Its mission is to empower women, children and families, and eliminate racism, hatred and prejudice. For additional information, visit www.ywca-sv.org.