Canadian Lawyer

EDITOR'S DESK I The future of law BY GAIL J. COHEN lawyers who were partners in Bay Street firms could be counted on one hand; and while many law firms had diversity initiatives, they often consisted of nothing more than a "muliticultural calendar. n 2009, I embarked on a major project to look at the state of diversity in the law in Canada. At the time, there were perhaps one or two women managing partners of law firms of any size across the whole country; the number of black being gay or lesbian in Big Law. Not one Bay Street lawyer would put their name to the story and talk about the issue. We had an associate from a national firm's Calgary office on the record, but that's as close as we could get even though law firms insisted that they were welcoming to all diverse groups. That year, I attended my first Pride at Work gathering in Toronto. The organiza- " In another issue, we wanted to write a story about tion brings together LGBT professionals and their allies from businesses all across the country and every year it holds a big bash during Pride Week in Toronto. In 2009, only one law firm — Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP — was willing to openly support the organization and is considered one of its founders. Looking at this year's event, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Norton Rose Canada LLP, and Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP have joined FMC as law firm sponsors of the event. In mid-June this year, at the Canadian General Counsel Awards, Douglas Stollery, general counsel at PCL Constructors Inc., was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. He got a bit teary-eyed at the end when he thanked his same-sex partner for all his support over the years. It was all so normal. No gasps from the black-tied crowd, no whispers of shock at the tables full of in-house counsel. Also over the last few years organizations promoting diversity in the legal profes- CANADIAN Lawye rmag.com EXCLUSIVELY ON Trials & Tribulations Margaret Waddell ruminates on issues of import and interest to litigators. July 9 Human Rights . . . Here & Th ere University of Ottawa law school's Sonya Nigam's column on human rights and international law. July 9 Th e Accidental Mentor Lee Akazaki's column off ers useful mentorship advice for young lawyers. July 9 Financial Adviser Financial planner Alan Acton helps lawyers better manage their hard- earned money. July 9 Defi nitely Mabey Stephen Mabey examines the thorny issues facing law fi rm management. July 16 Th e IT Girl Sarah Dale-Harris takes a wry look at the intersection of technology and the law. July 16 sion have been increasing and growing. One of the most active is Legal Leaders for Diversity, a group of in-house counsel committed to increasing diversity in their ranks as well as in the law firms that serve them. It's really still just a start. Canada is years behind other countries in its promotion and embracing of diversity, which is not just right but makes business sense, particularly in the global economic environment. I'll conclude by saying when I attended the year-end gala for the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers in the spring, what struck me the most, beyond the incred- ibly varied backgrounds of the attendees, is that most of them were young. Sitting beneath the stained-glass windows and wood panelling in the University of Toronto's Hart House was quite a striking visualization of the future of law — young, diverse, engaged, and ready to take on the world. Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Law Library Reviews of books — and more — of a legal nature from Damian Penny. July 16 Trial by Fire First-year associate Lindsay Scott shares the ups and downs of learning on the job. July 16 Advertising Sales Representatives Staff Writer: Michael McKiernan michael.mckiernan@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editor: Katia Caporiccio Art Director: Bill Hunter Account Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles catherine.giles@thomsonreuters.com Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Kathryn Leger, Geoff Ellwand, Jennifer Brown, Kendyl Sebesta, Judy Van Rhijn, Heather Gardiner Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 (416) 298-5141. Fax : (416) 649-7870 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Canadian Lawyer disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. Legal Suppliers: Kimberlee Pascoe Tel: (416) 649-8875 E-mail: kimberlee.pascoe@thomsonreuters.com Law Firms: Karen Lorimer Tel: (416) 649-9411 E-mail: karen.lorimer@thomsonreuters.com Quebec Law Firms: Linda Nadon Tel: (450) 224-0055 E-mail: lnadon@universusmediagroup.com Sales Co-ordinator: Sandy Shutt Tel: (416) 649-8864 E-mail: sandra.shutt@thomsonreuters.com Canadian Lawyer Magazine Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 Tel: (416) 298-5141 Fax: (416) 649-7870 E-mail: clb.cleditor@thomsonreuters.com Web: www.canadianlawyermag.com Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index Publications Mail Agreement #40766500 ISSN 0703-2129 Copyright © 2012 HST Registration #R121349799 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESS TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT ONE CORPORATE PLAZA 2075 KENNEDY RD., TORONTO, ON. M1T 3V4 RETOURNER TOUTE CORRESPONDANCE NE POUVANT ÊTRE LIVRÉE AU CANADA AU SERVICE DES PUBLICATIONS ONE CORPORATE PLAZA, 2075 KENNEDY RD., TORONTO, ON. M1T 3V4 Circulation/Address Changes/Subscriptions Ellen Alstein Tel: (416) 649-9926 Fax: (416) 649-7870 E-mail: ellen.alstein@thomsonreuters.com Subscription rates: Canada1 year print and digital $75 plus HST, 1 year digital only $55. Outside Canada 1 year print & digital $95, 1 year digital only $55. Student rate 1 year print and digital $38 plus HST, 1 year digital only $20 plus HST. For all circulation inquiries and address changes send a copy of your mailing label or labels along with your request in writing to Canadian Lawyer , One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 Class Acts Kirk Baert's column takes a critical look at class action litigation across the country. July 23 Th e Immigration Line Jennifer Nees lets us know what's on the minds of the immigration bar. July 23 Managing Partner Forum Th e seventh part of our series from managing partners about running their law fi rms. July 23 Making Rain Executive coach Debra Forman's video column on career and business development. July 23 www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com JULY 2012 3

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