Norton Rose Fulbright clocks five years in a row as a top diversity employer in Canada

Norton Rose Fulbright’s vision to create an inclusive environment where all its people can bring their whole selves to work is becoming more of a reality each day, as the global law firm is named among Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the fifth year in a row. Winners were announced in a magazine published by The Globe and Mail, preview here (page 52).

Building upon its steps taken in 2020 to encourage open dialogue, targeted education and enhanced awareness around prejudice, discrimination and equity, Norton Rose Fulbright has since re-launched its own race equity strategy upon recommendations from its 14-member Race Equity Council. Also in its second year, its Origins employee resource group supports the firm in employing individuals from racialized backgrounds, further develops a culture that values diversity, promotes the understanding of racial bias and systemic racism, and helps to uphold the firm’s commitment to the BlackNorth Initiative. Origins and the Women in Norton Rose Fulbright (WiN) group have worked together to run webinar series for employees and clients spotlighting Canadian women of influence and empowered women of colour, and tackled key topics such as systemic racism, intersectional allyship, feminism and equity.

During 2021, Norton Rose Fulbright expanded its collection and use of demographic information to strengthen a data-driven approach to setting targets and creating accountability for progress. Expanding on its education initiatives, the firm wants to ensure it can better recognize and address unconscious bias and systemic racism.

Twenty-four (44 percent) of the 54 lawyers promoted to partners globally by the firm in 2022 are women, and by launching new sponsorship and work allocation initiatives, Norton Rose Fulbright hopes to help advance the firm towards gender parity.

Troy Ungerman, Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, commented:

“We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for many – from both a mental and physical perspective. Through hard work, dedication and commitment, we ensured that our employee resource groups and overall diversity efforts never took a back seat. To the contrary, we have remained vigilant, active and present, ensuring that diversity and inclusion remains at the forefront of everything we do at Norton Rose Fulbright. I thank the people of the firm for always striving to put diversity and inclusion first.”

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, an editorial competition run by employment-related publisher Mediacorp Canada Inc., recognizes successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for employees from five groups: (a) women; (b) members of visible minorities; (c) persons with disabilities; (d) Indigenous peoples; and (e) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) peoples.