Above all, collective passion for power sports products, and promoting their safe use, makes the MIC a great place to work. That shared mission includes our hundreds of members, all of whom want us to succeed, working with us and often together to help strengthen the industry and move it forward. For many employees, a deep involvement with motorcycles and ATVs doesn’t stop at the end of the workday.

Our hiring practices seek to find the most talented people possible, and set them to work in areas where their skills can shine and add real value to our funding members. At the same time, we foster cooperation, encouraging team efforts and recognizing group success, not just individual stars. We provide the opportunity to succeed, and we strive to be fair about sharing that success, as well as our burdens.

The culture includes group gatherings for holidays and birthdays, and Group rides. Free motorcycle and ATV rider training, plus a new gym to stay fit and work off some stress. Besides an outstanding benefits package, we offer particularly enticing benefits for riders,, such as discounts on parts and accessories, and an employee-motorcycle-maintenance program that completely covers the cost of upkeep for your bike. Motorcycle commuters here have special parking up front and can leave the business attire in the closet. Riding gear is appropriate office-wear at the MIC.

“Everyone at the Motorcycle Industry Council is very excited that we’re once again being recognized as one of the best places to work in California. Investing in the quality of our office environment and taking good care of our associates allows our staff to focus on doing the best possible job for our funding members and helping our industry thrive,” says Tim Buche, Motorcycle Industry Council President.

As reported, the firm’s culture is based upon openness, idea-sharing, creative decision-making and a collegial atmosphere. The firm offers an excellent benefits package, including comprehensive health, dental, vision, 401(k), supplemental insurance, employee assistance programs with elder and childcare options, health care reimbursement and wellness programs. One innovative wellness program, Walk for Wellness, challenged employees to outdistance each other in steps walked, with the winners taking home gift certificates from a local sports store. The firm invests in programs, tools and systems that enable employees to work at their peaks and provides on-site training, outside speakers and 100% tuition reimbursement to aid career advancement, including online performance and talent measurement..

Management opens doors to employee communication through frequent Brown Bag lunches, the CEO’s Intranet blog site, and participation in social and charitable events throughout the year. Giving back to our local communities is a high priority at Nicholas-Applegate; employees decide how to allocate the firm’s charitable dollars and host four charitable events a year. The company provides flexible work options, generous vacation balances, including a fully-paid sabbatical for employees celebrating their 15-year anniversaries.

“We are delighted and honored to be recognized by Employers Group as one of the best places to work in California. The program provides excellent ideas for improving our employees’ work experience. We believe an outstanding company culture not only attracts and retains topnotch professionals, but also motivates them to do their very best for our clients,” said Marna C. Whittington, Chief Executive Officer.

Click here for pictures of Nicholas Applegate receiving their award.

Bingham McCutchen is a national law firm with global capabilities, with approximately 1,000 attorneys in 13 offices (six in California). The firm represents clients in cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, high-stakes litigation, complex financing and regulatory matters, environmental issues, government affairs, and a wide variety of sophisticated corporate and technology transactions. Bingham was founded in 1891 in Boston, MA, which where its headquarters are located; its California offices are in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Orange County.

At Bingham, we take pride in the excellence of our work, the quality of our clients and the caliber of our colleagues. We respect one another and believe that every person in our firm is important. Diverse talents, interests, backgrounds – who we are as individuals and professionals – make this a vibrant, exciting and successful place to work.

Bingham chairman Jay Zimmerman had this to say: “To move up from No. 2 last year to No. 1 this year on California’s Best Places to Work list – especially in these challenging economic times –is another indication of Bingham’s spirit and commitment to fostering a positive work environment. We take great pride in investing in our people to cultivate growth and success. The best people are the building blocks of the best firms.”

Click here for pictures of Bingham receiving their award.

To learn about the California's Best Places to Work assessment process click here.