Lexpert Magazine

LEXPERT MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 39 | ZENITH AWARDS | In 2013, Fasken Martineau adopted a firm- wide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgen- der policy, including support for LGBT affinity groups at various offices. e On- tario Region created the Fasken Martin- eau Pride Network (Fasken Pride), whose membership includes all levels of lawyers, staff and students. Fasken Pride takes the lead in the firm's LGBT-focused external networks, including Pride at Work, Out on Bay Street, Out in the Capital, and the On- tario Bar Association's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee (SOG- IC). Fasken Pride is a recognized force in the firm that will launch its own page on the firm's intranet in 2016. e LGBT page will provide information on the net- work, as well as initiatives and resources for LGBT employees and allies, including for any parents, families and friends of LGBT youth at the firm. Simon Fish BMO FINANCIAL GROUP > TORONTO BMO General Counsel Simon Fish serves as BMO's executive diversity champion; co-chairs the Leadership Committee for Inclusion and Diversity (LCID); and chairs the legal group's employee-led Diversity Council. As a founding member of Legal Leaders for Diversity (LLD), he recently brought together more than 100 law firms to share best practices on driving change in diversity. With his leadership, BMO's Legal Group is a banking-industry leader in the representation of women at senior levels and has set measurable goals for the hiring and retention of minorities in senior roles globally. As of December 2015, 57.6 per cent of women in the Legal Group hold senior roles; 48.3 per cent of Legal Group senior leaders are women; and 23.7 per cent of visible minorities at Legal Group hold senior roles. Fernando Garcia NISSAN CANADA, INC. > MISSISSAUGA Fernando Garcia, Nissan Canada General Counsel, Government Affairs and Corpo- rate Secretary, is recognized company-wide as a champion of diversity and inclusion. Fernando and the North American Ex- ecutive Diversity Council work to formu- late diversity action plans implemented throughout the company. He transformed the legal department's culture into one in which diversity and inclusion impact how team members engage with one another and the public. A naturalized Canadian born in Argentina, Fernando is a passion- ate advocate of diversity in law and an executive of Legal Leaders for Diversity. He regularly speaks on the value of diver- sity and serves on the advisory board of LSUC's Law Practice Program, established to ensure all students have an opportunity to article. He was an executive member of the CCCA and a member of its Mentor- ship and Diversity Committees. Green and Spiegel LLP TORONTO Green and Spiegel is an immigration law firm, assisting people from around the world to work in Canada and to immi- grate to Canada. Firm founder Mendel Green was a legal representative in the Su- preme Court of Canada decision Singh v. e Minister of Employment and Immigra- tion, one of the most important legal de- cisions in Canadian immigration history. e firm's team includes lawyers licensed in Canada and the United States, who take pride in helping Canadian businesses with human resources needs and helping families relocate to Canada from around the world. It can provide services in some 30 languages. Green and Spiegel's goal is to deliver excellent legal services to people from around the world with compassion and kindness. Many of the firm's people have been through the immigration sys- tem themselves. Albert Hudec FARRIS, VAUGHAN, WILLS & MURPHY LLP > VANCOUVER Aer a lengthy career in M&A and securi- ties law, Al Hudec began working with First Nations, negotiating precedent-setting com- mercial benefits agreements for Aboriginal communities across northern BC. Al now represents more than 20 First Nations in dealings with resource companies, contrac- tors and governments, including LNG proj- ects and pipelines. He works to ensure First Nations share fairly in the benefits of major infrastructure and energy projects on tra- ditional lands. He helps Aboriginal leaders assess resource development proposals and weigh project benefits and impacts. Where development is appropriate, he helps First Nations negotiate up-front financial agree- ments and long-term benefits, including joint-venture contracting, employment and educational opportunities. roughout his career, Al has been a mentor and advocate for women in the law. He is a former director of Big Sisters and helped found the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. Arleen Huggins KOSKIE MINSKY LLP > TORONTO Arleen Huggins is immediate past presi-

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