2019-2020 Series

Join us to explore the history of the legal profession in Ontario as we examine the barriers racialized minorities and women have had to overcome to succeed.  By understanding this history, members of the legal profession will be better equipped to become allies for diversity and inclusion. Our stellar faculty will provide valuable insight into how the legal profession has developed over time and how as members of it, we can work towards making it more inclusive and diverse. Join us as we kick off our Inclusive Leaders Series 2019-2020!

Diversity is broad and multi-faceted. Join us as we examine this as well as the barriers to full inclusion within the workplace. Our speakers will examine these barriers and their impact – from religion to disability - while discussing the implications of recent case law on the top issues in the legal workplace.

Join us for an interactive and informative session with leaders in the legal community as they reflect on the ongoing imperative to create a diverse and inclusive workplace and legal profession, so that high quality service is provided to our diverse clientele. Our panel will share their top tips and strategies, informed by their own varied experiences, on how to amplify diversity so you too can also be a champion.

As a result of the Truth and Reconciliation process, we are experiencing monumental changes in understanding our relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada.  We have also begun the process of better understanding the inequalities faced by marginalized communities.  Understanding the challenges and contributions the legal profession can make to this conversation is an important step in supporting the changes on the road to becoming allies, as we build inclusive and caring workplaces that better serve our clients. Join our stellar faculty as they examine and explore this important issue.

In order to concretely implement diversity and inclusion policies into your firm or practice, it is key to know how to move from concepts to practical application. Join us as our expert panel discusses how you convert your diversity and inclusion documents from policies to everyday realities. Join us as our stellar faculty guides you through the practical steps you need to take to build diversity and inclusion into your work place using such strategies as Starting at the Top and Planning for Complexity, by creating a pressure plan.

Disruption in the legal profession is knocking at the door with so many new technologies available to the legal community. Join our expert panel and open that door with the mindset to meet the demands of diversity and inclusion.  Hear how you can best harness digital and other technology to be competitive and enhance the process of change as you champion diversity and inclusion. Join our stellar faculty as they canvas these new technologies and their interplay with issues of diversity and inclusion.

In this program, our expert faculty who have participated throughout the series return to walk us through a set of hands on self-assessment exercises. These carefully designed exercises aim to deepen and build our capacity to be Allies for Diversity and Inclusion within the legal profession. Benefit from the experience and insight of our faculty as you broaden your knowledge base and start implementing practical tools into your firm or practice that support you as a champion of diversity and inclusion.

Join the discussion as we build our skills as allies for Inclusion by Design by diving into an understanding of how clients expect to see the diversity around us reflecting in the law firms they hire.  Understand how to be prepared to answer your client’s questions and meet their expectations.  Learn what you need to do to answer and surpass those diversity benchmarks in RFPs and elsewhere. Our stellar faculty will provide valuable insight into the issues you must consider as you strive to provide a better product to your clients while incorporating the key concepts of diversity and inclusion.