22 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 8 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m
ing the best and the brightest, they're
going to suffer in retaining people and
they're going to suffer reputationally," he
says. "Those are big incentives to ensure
we address these things properly."
Surrey, B.C. employment lawyer Sara
Forte with Forte Law, who advises law
firms and lawyers, suggests the best
approach is to be proactive by creating a
policy that provides a process for people
to make complaints if they feel harassed
and lays out the procedures on what to
do when there is a complaint. That also
lets the employer deal with and contain
any concerns.
Training will also help to create a
culture where harassment is not accept-
able and people feel comfortable bring-
ing issues forward. "Sexual harassment
complaints are good for your business,"
she says. "If you get a complaint brought
forward to you internally, you can deal
with it confidentially." A law firm can
sustain a great deal of harm without
that culture in place and ability to man-
age it internally.
Forte points to a December 2016 disci-
pline decision in which a lawyer's sexual-
ly charged comments, often couched in
humour, resulted in his diminished stand-
ing in the community, erased the possi-
bility of him ever becoming a Queen's
counsel, obliterated any political ambition
he may have harboured and had a direct
financial impact on his practice.
Meanwhile the complainants — a law
student who sought no compensation or
L AW O F F I C E M A N A G E M E N T
Resources for
lawyers
CBA
Not Just a Bystander podcast https://
www.cba.org/Sections/Women-Lawyers/
Resources/Resources/Not-just-a-
bystander
B.C.
The Equity Ombudsperson assists with
resolving concerns about discrimination
and discriminatory harassment. https://
www.lawsociety.bc.ca/support-and-
resources-for-lawyers/lawyer-wellness-
personal-support/equity-ombudsperson/
Ontario
Discrimination and Harassment Coun-
sel – offers advice, support, resources,
expertise for free. http://www.dhcounsel.
on.ca/en-ca
Members' assistance program — the law
society-funded lawyer assistance program.
https://www.lsuc.on.ca/map/
Alberta
The Office of the Equity Ombudsperson
provides confidential advice, informa-
tion and assistance to lawyers, articling
students and support staff working in the
legal profession on issues of discrimina-
tion or harassment by lawyers. https://
www.lawsociety.ab.ca/lawyers-and-
students/equity-ombudsperson/
Manitoba
The Law Society of Manitoba has an equity
officer who provides confidential informa-
tion, advice and assistance to Manitoba
lawyers, articling students, legal support
staff and clients of lawyers in dealing with
issues of discrimination and harassment.
http://www.lawsociety.mb.ca/equity/
equity-officer/about-the-equity-officer
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