Blakes Wins Canada’s Best Diversity Employer for 12th Year

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes or the Firm) is honoured to be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2022. This is the 12th time that Blakes has won this award, which is more times than any other law firm in Canada.

“The diverse perspectives of our people strengthen Blakes, enrich our workplace culture and enhance our ability to deliver innovative solutions for our clients,” said Kyle Elliott, Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion. “We are proud to be recognized as an organization committed to raising the bar when it comes to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong.”
 
Blakes has a robust offering of programs and initiatives to attract, retain and develop diverse talent while fostering a culture where difference is valued and celebrated. We have continued to expand these efforts since the Firm last won this award.
 
In 2021, Blakes launched EastAsian@Blakes and SouthAsian@Blakes, affinity groups dedicated to supporting the long-term career success of lawyers of Asian heritage. These professional networks follow in a vital tradition that also includes Pride@Blakes, Women@Blakes and Black@Blakes. In the same year, we introduced Blakes Mindset, a practical framework for cultivating well-being at work through open, inclusive and equitable collaboration. As part of this initiative, Blakes became the first Canadian-based law firm to sign on to the Mindful Business Charter.
 
One of our exciting new initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in our profession is our partnership with Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion (LLD) and the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN) on the Avenue program in 2022. Through the Avenue program, the Firm has hired five Black undergraduate student interns across Canada. Our Avenue interns will spend time with Blakes to learn more about working in a law firm environment.
 
About Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
Winners of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers are chosen for their exceptional diversity and inclusion programs. In particular, the competition recognizes successful initiatives supporting women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual people.