At McCarthy Tétrault, we know that diversity in numbers are not enough, and so we’ve embraced something far more encompassing – inclusion. We work to identify and break down unconscious and systemic barriers to ensure all of our people feel valued for the different ideas, backgrounds and perspectives they bring to the table, and to elevate our best and brightest talent within the firm and the legal industry.
We are constantly developing concrete initiatives to build a workplace where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully, has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the Firm’s success. Only by promoting an inclusive work environment that inspires people to be their best can we attract the brightest talent from across Canada and around the world. It is our people and our clients that turn diversity and inclusion into drivers for innovation and success.
Inclusion Now Awards
We recently launched our inaugural Inclusion Now Awards to honour the diversity champions among us. In 2018, fifty four members of our firm – students, associates, counsel, partners and employees – were nominated by their peers for the many ways they serve as diversity and inclusion champions in their workplaces and communities.
We’re proud of all our nominees and our 2019 Inclusion Now Award recipients.
Inclusive Programs
McCarthy Tétrault is committed to promoting an inclusive workplace that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. We support a number of programs and initiatives within the legal profession and broader communities:
- We partner with the Martin Family Initiative (MFI) and developed the McCarthy Tétrault & MFI Mentorship Program for Indigenous Students. A first-of-its-kind in Canada, the program links McCarthy Tétrault lawyers and staff as mentors with Indigenous students in Grades 8 through 12. We also partner with Indigenous leaders and education authorities to enhance Indigenous education in Canada.
- We provide internship opportunities through the University of Toronto Faculty of Law’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Program. These foreign-trained lawyers seeking accreditation before the various Canadian law societies are given the opportunity to enter the Canadian legal market at a top-tier national law firm and bring their valuable expertise from abroad to benefit our clients.
- We are a founding member of Ascend Canada, a non-profit organization promoting Pan-Asian leadership in corporate Canada.
- We were the exclusive National Law Firm Partner of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) for a number of years, as well as their Preferred Partner in Diversity of FACL’s BC Chapter, and we helped launch the FACL’s Quebec Chapter.