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w w w . c a n a d i a n l a w y e r m a g . c o m N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 37 Respondents left comments indicating why this number has not taken off, even with diversity's increasing relevance in the legal profession. "We focus on skill and expertise. Diversity is irrelevant," said one commenter. Another said it was "a means for employers to satisfy human rights law obligations," but not a "legal obligation" or "business advantage." Another said it was an issue promoted among smaller bou- tiques but not the national firms they used. For those who do seek out a diverse roster, the fact that it's not easy to find partners and practice group leaders who fit the bill can be problematic, says Harpreet K. Sidhu. Sidhu, who is general counsel and privacy officer at Pethealth Inc., says that when she searches for industry-specific lawyers, there seems to be a lack of diversity among senior partners. "If there were more diverse partners, then there would be more vis- ibility online and more visibility in the legal community," she says. "And I think that would trigger going to those people as well and trigger some more diversification. But I think there is a lack of that right now." In line with most respondents, Sidhu chooses the external firms she works with based on industry expertise. According to the survey, it is individual lawyers and not their firms that attract business from legal departments. While 66 per cent said they choose based on industry expertise and 62 per cent base their choice on specific lawyers, only 33 per cent said law firm reputation would seal the deal, second to last in front of the four per cent that rely on third- Government (municipal, regional, provincial, federal and First Nations – including boards and tribunals) 17.92 % Financial 15.57 % Other 13.68 % Technology 11.32 % Professional services 9.43 % Natural resources based (including energy) 8.96 % Non-profit or academic institution 8.49 % Industry/manufacturing (including life sciences, food production and automotive) 8.02 % Service and/or retail 6.60 % IN WHAT SECTOR IS YOUR COMPANY/ORGANIZATION? HOW MANY LAWYERS ARE THERE IN YOUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT? 2 to 5 1 6 to 15 51 to 100 16 to 30 More than 100 31 to 50 33.02 % 21.23 % 18.87 % 8.96 % 6.60 % 6.13 % 5.19 % HOW MANY LAW FIRMS ARE YOU USING? 1. 1 to 4 46.51 % 2. 5 -10 34.30 % 3. More than 10 15.70 % 4. 0 3.49 % $101,000 to $500,000 25.47 % Prefer not to answer/ don't know 25.00 % $100,000 or less 13.21 % $1 million to $3 million 13.21 % $501,000 to $1 million 10.38 % $3.1 million to $5 million 6.60 % More than $10 million 4.72 % $5.1 million to $10 million 1.42 % WHAT WAS THE EXTERNAL LEGAL SPEND FOR THE CANADIAN LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN YOUR LAST FISCAL YEAR? WHAT ARE THE LEGAL AREAS YOU SEND TO OUTSIDE FIRMS THE MOST? Litigation 75.15 % Employment/labour 55.03 % Mergers & acquisitions 34.91 % Tax 30.18 % Intellectual property 27.22 % Real estate 23.08 % General corporate work (contracts, etc.) 21.89 % Securities/corporate finance 20.12 % Regulatory matters 19.53 % Immigration 15.98 % Privacy legislation and data protection 13.61 % Environmental 10.65 % U.S./cross-border 10.06 % Information technology (contracts, licensing, etc.) 9.47 % Class action 7.10 % Advertising/marketing 5.92 % Other 4.73 % Risk mitigation 3.55 % 46.51 % 1. 34.30 % 2. 15.70 % 3.49 % 3. 4. C O R P O R A T E C O U N S E L S U R V E Y