Lexpert Magazine

LEXPERT MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 37 | ZENITH AWARDS | there is no legal-aid structure, representing students suspended or expelled for offences such as fighting. Black Female Lawyers Network TORONTO e Black Female Lawyers Network was incorporated as a not-for-profit and the founding board endeavoured to provide substantive opportunities to convene, connect and learn. Objectives include sup- porting the practical professional needs of black women practising law in order to extend their participation in the profession and enhance their public contributions. e group's new website cites "celebrating, supporting and showcasing black female lawyers" as its raison d'être. Working with event planners Cheryl-Ann Philip and Nadine Miller, the 2015 retreat focused on identifying objectives, setting realistic goals and craing a successful strategy. As evidenced by the women who referred to it during the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers' annual awards gala, this network will grow in its impact on participants' ca- reers and lives. Bora Laskin Faculty of Law LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY > THUNDER BAY, ON In 2016, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University made history by ap- pointing Angelique EagleWoman as the first Aboriginal dean of law in Canada. Ea- gleWoman told e Globe and Mail she was attracted to the position, in part, by the law school's mandatory courses in Aboriginal law and she predicted the next generation of lawyers will better understand Canada's re- lationship with indigenous peoples and con- tribute to Aboriginal reconciliation within Canadian society. She holds a bachelor's de- gree in political science from Stanford Uni- versity, a juris doctor from the University of North Dakota and an LLM in American Indian and Indigenous law from the Uni- versity of Tulsa. She has taught in the areas of Native American law, tribal nation eco- nomics and law, Native American natural resources law and in civil procedure. James Bunting DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP > TORONTO Jim Bunting has led a number of pro bono cases that have advanced the cause of diver- sity and inclusion within amateur sport. As a result of his efforts, many athletes who would have otherwise been prevented or impeded from competing due to systemic discrimination can now pursue their goals. In 2015, he successfully represented Dutee Chand at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) when sports officials deemed her natural testosterone levels too high. He is currently representing Chris Mosier, the first transgender man to qualify for a US Men's National Team, securing approval to compete internationally. In another pro bono case, Jim fought for the equitable compensation of the Canadian women's soccer team by the Canadian Soccer Asso- ciation, securing a two-year agreement. Cassels Brock Diversity Committee CASSELS BROCK & BLACKWELL LLP > TORONTO Cassels Brock established its Diversity Committee in 2013. In its inaugural year, the committee joined the Law Firm Di- versity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN), supporting diversity and inclusion within signatory firms and the legal profession, and also joined Pride At Work Canada to learn about creating an inclusive LGBT+ culture; it analyzed LFDIN survey results to determine immediate priorities for the committee, including leadership train- ing; it participated in the joint LFDIN and Legal Leaders for Diversity (LLD) mentoring program; and participated in a diversity census and engagement survey by the Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion. In 2015, Cassels Brock required all its leaders to participate in three-hour diversity/unconscious-bias boot camps. In addition, the Diversity Committee con- sulted with student and associate recruit- ment and retention groups to help ensure equal opportunity. John Clifford MCMILLAN LLP > TORONTO John Clifford is a founding member of Mc- Millan's Inclusion and Diversity Commit- tee. He was also instrumental in founding the firm's affinity group for LGBT law- yers. In 2012, John was invited to attend the Law Firm Diversity Caucus to discuss what Canada's leading law firms could do to promote diversity and inclusion, leading to the creation of the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network. John has been an active member of the LFDIN since its inception. In 2007, John founded exeQutive, which is devoted to supporting and strengthening the careers of Toronto- based LGBT executives, professionals, and business and community leaders. John played a leadership role in the 2014 proud- TOvote campaign. ProudTOvote worked to ensure Toronto had a mayor the LGBT community could be proud of and who would be proud of the community.

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