Toronto—For the fifth consecutive year, Dentons has been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, highlighting the Firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“As a firm, we are honoured to be named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the fifth year in a row,” said Chris Pinnington, Canada Chief Executive Officer. “Embracing and promoting diversity and inclusion enriches our Firm, gives us a broader perspective, fosters creativity, and leads to greater effectiveness, all of which enhance our ability to provide our people with a vibrant workplace and our clients with the best possible service.”

Dentons was chosen by Mediacorp Canada Inc. (Mediacorp), a Toronto-based publisher of employment-related periodicals, as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2015 based on its workplace diversity and inclusion programs. The selection criteria addresses five major employee groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered/transsexual individuals.

In 2006, Dentons Canada (formerly Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP) instituted a formal strategy to create and maintain a firmwide culture of inclusion. The initiative encourages Firm members to embrace their skills, talents and differences so they can achieve greater success in the workplace for themselves and clients.

Dentons is a proud partner and sponsor for numerous community-driven diversity and inclusion events and initiatives. Mediacorp has recognized Dentons for this award in part for the following reasons:

• Established a national Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which focuses on issues associated with diversity, inclusion and work-life balance. Each of the Firm's offices also employ Diversity Leads, who are responsible for implementing the national plan at a local level.
• Created Dialogue LGBTA Resource Group, which promotes the professional growth of employees, as well as fosters external business development and networking opportunities, and builds international relations.
• Ensures that LGBT-focused resources are available to employees, such as information on LGBTQ adoption in Ontario, LGBT parenting, gender expression information for parents, and transitioning for gender independent children and adolescents.
• Participates in the University of Toronto's Internationally Trained Lawyers Program.
• Launched a Foreign Trained Lawyer Articling Program, in partnership with Imperial Oil, to provide articling opportunities to qualified new Canadians.
• Partnered with Polygon Homes to create an internship program for Aboriginal business students; the program includes summer employment at Polygon as well as mentoring opportunities with a Dentons employee (Vancouver office).
• Participated, for the eighth consecutive year, in the Law Society of Alberta's Aboriginal summer student program, hiring two students per year. If the term is completed satisfactorily, an offer of full-time employment usually follows (Calgary office).

For more information regarding the diversity and inclusion initiatives at Dentons, please read our 2014 Global Social Impact Report or visit Dentons’ Diversity in Canada page.

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