| Please describe your diversity programs and initiatives |
In 2013, the firm signed on to the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN) demonstrating its commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the legal profession through recruitment, retention, advancement and support. In July 2020 we signed the Law Firm Pledge with The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism (the Black North Initiative) as a sign of our commitment to increasing the representation of black lawyers in the legal community. We sponsor many diverse student groups and other organizations and events including the UBC Indigenous Law Students Association, Start Proud, Get Real Movement and the Black Law Students Association. We also support gender diversity. We sponsor the Women's Executive Network Annual Awards Gala, Allard's Annual Women in Law Celebration, the Canadian Women's Federation Annual Breakfast, BC Business Most Influential Women Reception, Young Women in Law and various women's groups at certain Canadian law schools. We also host various networking events for our female lawyers and clients and regularly host other sessions directed towards women on business development, networking and leadership. We also regularly send our senior female associates to attend Rotman Business School's intensive 2-day program "Business Leadership for Women". We have also retained an external coach to work with our associates, both male and female, who have or will shortly become new parents to assist with the challenges associates face with respect to balancing work and family.
Bennett Jones has long had a Business Conduct Policy in place that addresses the standards of business conduct and professionalism expected of all members of the Firm, including anti-discriminatory behaviour. This policy is bolstered by a detailed Policy on Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (the D&I Policy). The D&I Policy articulates our commitment to, and actions for, establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace, particularly for those who have been historically excluded from and under-represented in the practice of law.
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