Interim report on challenges faced by racialized licensees underscores need for change

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Toronto: The Law Society’s Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Working Group released its interim report* to Convocation today, providing an overview of the input gathered from more than 1,000 racialized and non-racialized licensees, legal organizations and members of the public during its consultation process last fall and winter.

The input was in response to a series of questions outlined in the working group’s consultation paper,

Developing Strategies for Change: Addressing Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees, which was released in October for discussion.

The working group held 12 open houses and received written submissions from more than 40 lawyers, paralegals and organizational stakeholders. Working group members also reached out to equity partner groups and larger law firms in Toronto to discuss questions raised in the consultation paper.

Feedback indicates that the profession sees this project as an opportunity to influence change. Participants had significant support for the creation of diversity programs for the recruitment, retention and advancement of racialized licensees in firms and other legal organizations.

Numerous participants also agreed that the collection of demographic data would be an important first step. Opinions varied on whether it should be mandatory or not.

A large number of participants were also in favour of mandatory CPD training on cultural competence, unconscious bias and/or anti-racism. As well, several emphasized that the Law Society model the change it is seeking within the legal profession, which would include increasing diversity at both the governance and staff levels.

Additional highlights and observations are contained in the interim report*.

The working group plans to continue to consider the balance of submissions, to consider policy options that are within the Law Society’s mandate and prepare a final report to Convocation in fall 2015.

The Law Society regulates lawyers and paralegals in Ontario in the public interest. The Law Society has a mandate to protect the public interest, to maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, to facilitate access to justice for the people of Ontario and act in a timely, open and efficient manner.

* Go to Table of Contents for link to report.

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Media contact

Susan Tonkin, 416-947-7605, stonkin@lsuc.on.ca Communications Advisor, The Law Society of Upper Canada

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