Diversity and Inclusion
We were proud to participate in the following events to ensure that diversity awareness is developed both internally and externally.
The Queen’s Conference on Indigenous Reconciliation
Cross-Cultural Competency Training
Ottawa Eid Festival
Unconscious Bias training for all lawyers and managers
Black Law Students Association Conference and Career Fair
Refugee 613 Kindness of Strangers Event
Capital Pride March
Canadian Black Lawyers Association Conference & Gala
Ottawa RedBlacks Women’s Training Camp
Jewish National Fund (JNF) Negev Dinner
Networking event hosted by Canadian Black Lawyers Association (CABL) and Black Female Lawyers Network Ottawa (BFLN)
Winter Open House with Ottawa University Faculty of Law Cultural Clubs
Diversity Committee
The success of our community has always been a measure of the success of our firm. We recognize that the injustices caused by systemic racism and societal inequalities are detrimental to the community we live and work in. It is up to each of us, and the firm, to use our unique platform to support and drive positive change in our community. We must do more, and we must be better.
Racism has no place in any community, including Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. Though many of us have never experienced what it feels like to be treated differently because of the colour of our skin, who we are, or what we believe, we must reflect, listen, and use our voices to advocate for equality.
Diversity is a community’s strength; inclusion recognizes that we are greater than the sum of our parts. Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. is committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated in all aspects of our firm.
Our firm is at the forefront in creating a Diversity Committee and is actively engaged with Ottawa’s diverse community, including through support of organizations representing racialized members of our profession, and providing training for its lawyers and management team on Unconscious Bias and Bias-free Recruitment Practices.
Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. has committed to the following additional activities to further develop diversity awareness and enhance equality within the legal community:
- Provide financial support to the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)
- Sponsor two scholarships for visible minority Law students (one from each of the French/English Common Law Programs at the University of Ottawa) with demonstrated financial need
- Conduct training for firm lawyers and staff on systemic bias in the justice system
- Create an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Education Fund to enable staff to purchase training or recommended readings on anti-racism initiatives
With the support of its Diversity Committee, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. will continue to look for ways in which it may contribute to the promotion of equality both internally and externally and will provide regular updates to the community on our dedicated Diversity and Inclusion webpage.
Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l. established a Diversity Committee to oversee diversity and inclusion efforts at all levels (recruitment, retention, and advancement), and to ensure that diversity and inclusion is integrated into all initiatives and aspects of Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l.
The Diversity Committee is currently comprised of the following members: Jessica Barrow (Chair & Partner), Karin Pagé (Partner), Conor Cronin (Partner), Neha D’Souza (Chief Operating Officer), Anne-Marie C. Magneron (Partner), and Katrina Pizzino (Marketing & Events Coordinator), Mariam Sarr (Associate), Sunny Cohen (Associate), Nathan Krulicki (Legal Assistant), and Kate Schulzke (Legal Assistant/Clerk).
