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Diversity and Inclusion

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Overview

Click here to read our statement, “Upholding our values of diversity, equity and inclusion”.

 
At Torys, diversity and inclusion are core strengths: we rely on the collective force of the unique talents of our people. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our practice, our community involvement and in the retention and promotion of our lawyers and staff.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee is comprised of our Managing Partner and representatives across the firm. The Committee’s goal is to retain and promote a diverse group of lawyers and staff. We also support the religious affiliations of our employees through hosting special events and supporting dedicated space for those who may be required to observe their faith during business hours.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Matthew W. Cockburn

Toronto

Janan Paskaran

Calgary

Teresa A. Reguly

Toronto

Deborah M. Dalfen

Toronto

Krista Hill
Krista F. Hill

Toronto

Darien G. Leung

New York

Emily Atkinson
Emily Atkinson

Toronto

Emma Sako

Toronto

Lynne Rollo
Lynne Rollo

Toronto

Huw Evans

Toronto

News

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Leading law firms sign the BlackNorth Initiative Law Firm Pledge

Being bold: Kristine Di Bacco’s Q&A with #movethedial

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2020

Rima Ramchandani on new diversity disclosure rules

I Am Torys

Meet Yinka

Yinka is proud to develop her legal career at Torys in an environment that provides mentoring and opportunity for women. She believes in the importance of giving back to the community.

Meet Dany

Dany is excited to discuss the culture at Torys and the many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Torys' culture centres around teamwork and on using the talents of a diverse group of individuals.

Meet Michael

Michael, who was born in Lebanon and grew up in Saudi Arabia, contributes a global perspective to Torys’ team. As co-chair of Torys’ student program, he is involved with recruiting and mentoring law students who join Torys and helping to guide them in their legal careers.

Meet Frank

Frank describes his experiences in life and law, and his joy in teaching and mentoring young lawyers. Frank takes great pride working at Torys and is pleased to explain what makes Torys’ culture special. As he says, it’s a combination of professional excellence, diversity and team chemistry.

Meet Linda

Linda is proud to talk about how Torys values diversity and inclusion. She also explains how the firm has developed programs for maternity and parental leave, and for lawyers returning to the workplace and needing to balance their work and family.

Spotlight

Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network

Torys is a member of the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN), a Canadian law firm initiative to promote inclusiveness and diversity within the legal profession. LFDIN member firms commit to jointly work towards fostering an industry culture that values, respects and nurtures diversity. This vision is documented in the LFDIN Statement of Principles, which bears the assent of the fifteen member firms. LFDIN members undertake to practice and advance diversity and inclusion by:

  • Sharing ideas for the promotion of diversity and inclusion in connection with recruitment, retention and advancement within law firms
  • Working with Legal Leaders for Diversity and other general counsel, law departments, business leaders and professional associations in their efforts to advance diversity and inclusion
  • Supporting outreach programs in law schools and the broader community
  • Promoting thought leadership and constructive dialogue on issues of diversity and inclusion
  • Evaluating our efforts

Click here to view the LFDIN Statement of Principles.

Sponsorships

We have sponsored numerous organizations engaged in diversity initiatives, including the following:

  • The Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Moot
  • Associations and national conferences for Korean, Black, South Asian, East Asian, LGBTQ2S and Jewish law students
  • Osgoode Hall’s Diversity Day and its LLM in Business Law for International Students program
  • Young Women in Law
  • Diversity career fairs, including Out on Bay Street

Affinity Groups

Torys is proud to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for our diverse lawyers, students, and clients. As part of our efforts in this regard, we have a number of Affinity Groups designed to bring together lawyers and students from all offices who have shared experiences or backgrounds – providing members with a further support system and additional mentoring opportunities. The Affinity Groups are open to all Torys partners, counsel, associates and students interested in supporting the goals and objectives of the various groups.

 

Asian Lawyers Group

The Asian Lawyers Affinity Group promotes the mentorship, professional and client development of lawyers and students of Asian heritage and Asia-interested lawyers and students throughout the firm. Externally focused initiatives include the annual South Asian Bar Association Dinner, the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers conference sponsorship and the Sikh Foundation of Canada Centennial Gala Sponsorship. Torys is a member of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). Through this relationship, we hosted the inaugural Employee Resource Group Roundtable discussion for Torys lawyers, clients, NAAAP members and other external stakeholders in 2016.

This group is led by Ed Fan, Ricco Bhasin and Crystal Chung.

 

Black Lawyers Group

The Black Lawyers Affinity Group (BLAG) promotes mentorship, professional and business development and retention for black lawyers and students throughout the firm. BLAG hosts internal lunches and dinners with black lawyers and students offering a candid forum for members to network with and mentor other Black lawyers. Externally, BLAG annually sponsors both the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) conference and gala and the CABL Professionals Golf Tournament.

This group is led by Konata Lake and Yinka Olusoga.

 

Francophone Lawyers Group

The Francophone network is our newest group. It will be looking at opportunities for enhancing our business relationships with Francophone contacts and clients. It will also be focused on personal and professional development opportunities for both Franco and Anglo members of the firm who wish to get involved with the group.

This group is led by Christophe Cinqmars-Viau.

 

LGBTQ2S Lawyers Group

We have an active LGBTQ2S Affinity Group for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, two-spirit (as well as other gender identities and sexual orientations) and those who are allies of LGBTQ2S individuals. Members of the LGBTQ2S group participate in recruiting, education, awareness-building and other internal initiatives, as well as fundraising, networking and other external activities. Each year in June, Torys recognizes Pride Month during which the LGBTQ2S group hosts a marquee event. In 2016 Torys joined other law firms and private sector parties to support the establishment of the Egale Centre — Canada’s first and Toronto’s only transitional housing facility exclusively dedicated to serving homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) youth. Torys is also a member of the Pride at Work and Out on Bay Street organizations, participating in a number of their events each year.

This group is led by Krista Hill, Molly Reynolds, Ryan Lax and Ronak Shah.

 

Muslim Lawyers Group

Our Muslim Lawyers Affinity Group brings together Muslim lawyers to share knowledge and experiences, engage in community involvement and to kindle professional development and networking opportunities. The group hosts educational sessions jointly with the Canadian Muslim Urban Professional Organization, Muslim Capital Markets Group and Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association. It also hosts an annual Iftar Dinner for Torys lawyers and clients.

This group is led by Dany Assaf, Ebad Rahman and Zehra Sheerazi.

 

Parent Lawyers Group

This group engages in internal support for parents as well as client outreach hosting multiple client family events per year. Past events have included the Santa Claus parade, private screening movie nights, ice skating, bowling and bbq events. Internally focused initiatives include an annual social lunch for associate dads, social gatherings of moms for networking and idea sharing and in 2016, Speed Parenting sessions with an external parenting expert.

This group is led by Darien Leung, Paulina Taneva and Zehra Sheerazi.

 

Women In Law

The Women in Law Affinity Group (WIL) emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and awareness raising for lawyers across all offices and practice groups. Monthly meetings focus on information sharing and promoting a supportive environment. Internal programming such as the WIL Business Development Coaching Series fosters the professional development of our women lawyers. WIL also promotes mentoring and relationship-building within and outside the firm through various events, including our annual summer WIL party. The group annually sponsors a women’s Spring seminar series and Fall event as well as other engaging events for firm lawyers and clients.

This group is led by Gillian Dingle and Marissa Daniels.

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