On behalf of the CDL Board of Directors:

Canadian Defence Lawyers is committed to ensuring our members have continued access to education and resources to promote equity, diversity and inclusion (“EDI”) at all levels. This not only includes how we practice law, but also includes considerations for hiring and retention. We also strive to ensure our members have tools to understand how our colleagues and clients are influenced by cultures and values that might be different from our own.

The membership as a whole, including CDL members at your firm, have greatly benefited from past programs. Examples of CDL’s past programs focussing on EDI initiatives include:

• Diversity & Inclusion in the Law Society
• Pay Equity Issues that Women in Law Face
• Why Indigenous Cultural Competency is Important:
  Steps being taken by Different Jurisdictions and Organizations
• Allies, Mentors and Management:
  Collectively Creating Opportunities for Women to Thrive
• Privilege, Bias and the Legal Profession

Here’s what members are saying about our EDI programs:

“…Len Pierre was probably the most eloquent, charming, informative and persuasive speaker CDL has ever presented. Huge congratulations to everyone involved in bringing him to us.”
“…one of the best presentations on any topic I have ever been privileged to attend. And over many years I’ve attended a lot.”

“…Great job with great practical utility”

“…perfect combination of personal experiences, client stories, statistics, critical race theory, resources, practical tips and most importantly – empathy – with a dash of tough talk” 

Contribution:

CDL wants to ensure that its members can continue to experience these effective and informative programs into the future. Specifically, CDL aims to continue to provide these EDI programs to our members at no cost.

In order to do so, CDL asks that its member firms demonstrate their commitment to promote and support EDI initiatives by contributing to a sponsorship fund for these EDI initiatives and programs for 2023 and beyond. Please be advised that all of CDL’s promotional materials for these events will name those firms and organizations who have contributed to this sponsorship fund.

Contribution to this sponsorship fund is based on the number of lawyers at your firm. Your contribution would be appreciated by March 1, 2023 in order for CDL to plan programming for the upcoming year(s).

*For any other amount, please contact our office at 416-340-9859.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Randi Glass, Executive Director at randi@cdlawyers.org