Lexpert Magazine

LEXPERT MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 51 | ZENITH AWARDS | training for employers across the country that supports diverse, respectful and inclu- sive workplaces. Sessions covering respect at work, accommodation at work, inves- tigating human rights breaches, advanced workplace investigation techniques, sexual harassment and mental health issues in the workplace aim to enhance employees' respect for each other. Her clients have included police forces, universities, mu- nicipalities and professional services firms. Chris developed a program for the Ontario Hospital Association, which is being deliv- ered province-wide through 10 webcasts. Topics include identifying and dealing with harassment and discrimination, as well as best practices to promote harass- ment- and discrimination-free workplaces. As Co-managing Partner and Co-founder of the firm and a training company, Chris has built two businesses, which are highly diverse, including members from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, place of origin, sexual orientation and age. Donna Walwyn CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF BLACK LAWYERS > TORONTO Donna Walwyn is President of the Canadi- an Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and a practitioner of employment law. Donna became a partner at Baker & McK- enzie in 2008 and, as President of CABL, has called for greater inclusivity among Bay Street law firms. In 2012, she was selected as the first Canadian participant in the Fel- lows Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. In 2016, she was ap- pointed to the Action Committee on Ac- cess to Justice in Civil and Family Matters, which was convened by the Right Honour- able Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, and is focused on improving ac- cess to the civil and family justice system. She has also served as a member of the board of trustees for the national scholar- ship fund of the Black Business and Profes- sional Association. Frank Walwyn WEIRFOULDS LLP > TORONTO One of the few black law partners on Bay Street, Frank Walwyn embraces opportu- nities to mentor, inspire and educate. He is one of Canada's top commercial litiga- tors, devoting many hours to increasing the number of minority practitioners in law. He regularly counsels high school, university and law school students on their career paths and works through his membership on various judicial appoint- ments committees to open doors for mi- nority lawyers. His community service includes: past president, Canadian Asso- ciation of Black Lawyers; board member, Community Legal Education Ontario, delivering legal education to low-income communities; steering committee, Diver- seCity: e Greater Toronto Leadership Project, aiming to diversify Toronto's leadership landscape; national advisory committee, James R. Johnston Chair, honouring the distinctive historical pres- ence of African Nova Scotians; and past board member, e Advocates' Society, and a member of its International Train- ing Committee. WeirFoulds Women WEIRFOULDS LLP > TORONTO WeirFoulds Women (WFW), established in 1990, promotes a diverse working envi- ronment by addressing issues facing women in the modern workplace. WFW sponsors participants from the Law in Action With- in Schools (LAWS), which works with law schools to motivate high school students. It also supports Progress Place, transitional employment programs, supporting people living with mental illness. WFW mem- bers have served on the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network; on the board of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction; on the volunteer committee of Pro Bono Law Ontario; as President of the Canadian Association of Women Ex- ecutives & Entrepreneurs; on the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and as President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. One member worked in Kenya with the European Centre for Con- stitutional and Human Rights on the "160 Girls Claim." Women's Practice Development Committee CASSELS BROCK & BLACKWELL LLP > TORONTO e Women's Practice Development Committee (WPDC) was the first firm- sanctioned, organized group on Bay Street for women lawyers. e WPDC is distin- guishable from other women's groups in that the firm believes men must also sup- port the advancement of female colleagues and it actively educates male lawyers on the responsibility they bear in correcting inequities. e WPDC takes a holistic ap- proach to improving the lives of women lawyers, both professionally and person- ally. WPDC offers programs for working mothers, women and wellness, and in pre- sentation skills, leadership training, gender differences in communication and business development events for women lawyers and clients. For expectant mothers, WPDC provides file-transition strategies and re- integration advice for returning to the of- fice. On the advice of WPDC, the firm also provides maternity top-up, emergency childcare, alternative work arrangements and a buddy system.

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