Blakes Wins Canada’s Best Diversity Employer for 13th Year

Award recognizes Firm’s focus on community outreach and developing diverse talent.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) is honoured to be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2023. This is the 13th time that Blakes has received this award, which is more times than any other law firm in Canada.

“At Blakes, the diverse experiences of our people strengthen both our community and our ability to deliver top results for our clients,” said Kyle Elliott, Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion. “We are proud to be recognized as a national leader committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive as their authentic self.”
 
The Firm’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives engage people at all levels of Blakes, from its leadership to its grass roots. A vibrant network of affinity groups — Pride@Blakes, Women@Blakes, Black@Blakes, EastAsian@Blakes and SouthAsian@Blakes — provides forums of support and mentorship for lawyers across the Firm and builds connections across the legal profession.

Since Blakes last won this award, the Firm has continued to expand its community outreach initiatives and its efforts to attract, retain and develop diverse professionals. The Avenue program, which Blakes helped establish, is one example of the Firm’s commitment in action. Avenue adds to the Firm’s longstanding investments in internships by providing Black undergraduate students with hands-on experience and mentorship in the legal industry. In the program’s first summer in 2022, Blakes hired more students through Avenue than any other participating organization. We look forward to the continuation of these programs in 2023.

Read more about why Blakes was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2023.