New programs and financial support aim to
increase diversity and inclusion across Canada's legal industry
TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group (TD) and the
Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) have announced today
the launch of new programs to support the career aspirations of
Black Canadian lawyers, and to increase diversity and inclusion in
the field of law across the country, where Black lawyers continue
to be significantly underrepresented, particularly at senior
ranks.
Together, TD and CABL have designed a series of programs to
accelerate career development for Black lawyers, from students to
mature professionals. Members of CABL will have access to
meaningful one-on-one and group coaching, networking, advice for
sponsorship and career growth, and tailored financial planning and
wealth management support from TD. These efforts are intended to
help close the opportunity gap for Black Canadian lawyers and
foster a more equitable Canadian legal industry.
"Together with the Canadian Association of Black
Lawyers, we have developed a collaborative approach that
brings our philanthropy, people and business together, and aims to
change the future of Canada's law profession and support
the career aspirations of many Black lawyers," said Norie Campbell,
Group Head and General Counsel, and lead of TD's Environment,
Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.
As part of the first program cohort, TD has paired 15 CABL
members with senior TD lawyers to build mutually beneficial
mentoring relationships, supporting the personal and professional
development of all participants. TD and CABL are committed to
growing the program in the future through additional cohorts,
including a second cohort launching in 2022.
TD will also support CABL members at different stages of their
careers with financial education and advice. Through TD's
Black Customer Experience team, CABL members will have access
to:
- Financial programs geared towards legal professionals, ranging
from starting and building your practice, to estate planning, and
philanthropic giving.
- Personal finance guidance for CABL members, beginning with
Black law students and progressing along with CABL members
throughout their career, to ensure they start and remain on the
right financial path.
Today's announcement is aligned with the broader commitment by
TD to help address anti-Black racism and its impacts. Together with
Black-led, Black-supporting and Black-focused organizations, like
CABL, TD invests in new opportunities that directly benefit Black
communities, including advancing Black representation and
supporting the development and advancement of Black talent.
As part of this commitment, TD is donating $200,000 over the next three years to support
CABL's efforts to increase representation within the legal
community and help dismantle barriers Black lawyers may face.
With these funds, CABL will conduct a survey to gain
quantitative insights from Black Lawyers to better
understand the Black experience in Canada's legal profession, particularly on Bay
Street. Expected data could include rates of graduation
from law school, areas of practices, location, and
compensation. The survey results will be published in 2022. TD
funding will also help CABL expand across Canada, creating a national mentorship program
focused on the career advancement of law students, including new
and foreign trained lawyers and Black lawyers.
"Diversity matters. Not only does having a diverse workforce
expose people to different perspectives, experiences and
foster greater understanding, but it can also fuel innovation
and produce better legal and business outcomes. Working
together with TD, we have an opportunity to drive
real change and progress on Black representation
in the field of law in Canada. Together, we are one step
closer to helping advance young lawyers and close the
diversity gap," said Raphael Tachie,
President, Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.
By acknowledging the existence of anti-Black systemic racism and
the need to create opportunities for Black, Indigenous and other
racialized communities, TD hopes to continue to build a more
inclusive society, where everyone can participate fully.
To learn how TD is working to help create a more inclusive and
sustainable tomorrow, explore TD's 2020 Environmental, Social and
Governance (ESG) Report or the 2020 TD Ready Commitment Report
which highlights the progress and impact TD has achieved through
its corporate citizenship platform.
About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its
subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the
"Bank"). TD is the fifth largest bank in North America by assets and serves more than
26 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number
of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian
Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD
Wealth (Canada), TD Direct
Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank,
America's Most Convenient Bank®, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth
(U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; and
Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the
world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 15
million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.7 trillion in assets on July 31, 2021. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades
under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
About Canadian Association of Black Lawyers
The
Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), formed in
March 1996, is a national network of
law professionals and individuals committed to reinvesting in the
community. CABL's continuing goal is to bring together law
professionals and other interested members of the community from
across Canada to cultivate and
maintain The Association of Black professionals in Canada.
SOURCE TD Bank Group