In January 2020, Baker & McKenzie held the inaugural Lawyers of Colour (LOC) Conference in DC which brought together 160+ lawyers of colour from the US and Canada for two days of meaningful dialogue, networking, and professional development.

To build on key conference themes and explore ways in which we can all harness the power of this conference to impact positive change going forward, the Toronto office held Authenticity & Action – an open discussion forum to create a space for participants to share experiences, examine challenges and discuss collaborative efforts to successfully foster the growth, integration and sustainability of lawyers of color throughout the Firm.

Speakers Kamleh Nicola, Jennifer Bernardo, Sarah Mavula and Ajanthana Anandarajah led reflections and discussions of the LOC Conference including:

• Authenticity, inclusion, embracing differences and diverse experiences 
• Visible minorities and racialization
• Lack of sensitivity and awareness
• The concept of fitting in “particular boxes”
  • Breaking these boxes 
  • Acknowledging there are a varieties of identities 
    • Self-perception, intersectionality, etc. 
  • Adaptive self vs. Performing self — Hiding pieces of who you are

The speakers also shared next step actions and initiatives that the firm is planning to implement.

See photos from the event below and please contact the Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee with any questions about the event at tdic@bakermckenzie.com

Photo Gallery