McCarthy Tétrault welcomes Charlene Theodore as our new Chief Inclusion Officer. Committed to advancing our core mission to move the dial on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the legal profession and the communities in which we serve, Charlene will oversee our award-winning Inclusion Now program and the implementation of our many EDI initiatives.

“Charlene will play a critical role in continuing to develop our numerous diversity, inclusion and corporate social responsibility initiatives, which are top priorities for our firm,” said Barbara Boake, National People and Practice Leader at McCarthy Tétrault. “Charlene is a trailblazer in her EDI work, inspiring change and delivering actionable results. She is the perfect person to spearhead our ongoing EDI efforts and we are thrilled to have her join our team.”

Charlene is a passionate and dedicated community leader with a unique understanding of the interconnection between the legal profession and EDI, and how to achieve tangible and meaningful results. As the first Black president of the Ontario Bar Association, Charlene designed and implemented a series of initiatives for law firms and Corporate Canada to reimagine workplaces ꟷ building productive, profitable, healthy, diverse and inclusive work environments. Charlene also brings significant experience as a former employment and labour lawyer with a background in international human rights law and government relations.  

Charlene is a member and former Director of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), Canada’s largest national association of Black lawyers and judges. In 2020, Charlene was named one of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. 

“Our focus on EDI is not only a key firm priority, it’s an investment – in our people, clients and communities,” said Dave Leonard, CEO of McCarthy Tétrault. “We remain committed to applying a diversity and inclusion lens to everything we do, both inside our offices and in our communities.”

About McCarthy Tétrault

McCarthy Tétrault LLP provides a broad range of legal services, providing strategic and industry-focused advice and solutions for Canadian and international interests. The Firm has substantial presence in Canada’s major commercial centres as well as in New York City and London.

Built on an integrated approach to the practice of law and delivery of innovative client services, the Firm brings its legal talent, industry insight and practice experience to help clients achieve the results that are important to them.

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For further information, or to request an interview with a McCarthy Tétrault lawyer, please contact: [email protected].