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Black@Blakes

Diversity in all its forms makes Blakes and the legal profession stronger.

Black@Blakes is an internal network dedicated to promoting inclusion and supporting the advancement of Black legal professionals. Black@Blakes serves as a forum to exchange ideas, promote relationship-building and encourage mentorship. Through workshops, events, networking, and community outreach, we support the Firm's commitment to recruiting, retaining, and promoting top legal talent, building connections with our clients, and engaging with issues that impact our communities.

Black@Blakes members support and contribute to the various diversity and inclusion initiatives at Blakes including our annual Black History Month client events, our anti-racism training and a variety of internal and client-facing seminars and workshops.

Blakes is a proud supporter of several diverse student organizations and professional associations focused on supporting Black legal professionals. We provide financial support, host events, contribute speakers and encourage our lawyers and students to be active in these organizations:

The Canadian Black Standard

The Canadian Black Standard

Blakes is a corporate partner of the Canadian Black Standard, Canada’s premier networking and advocacy platform addressing systemic barriers to employment advancement and the inclusion of Canadian Black women in the sector of marketing.

Black Law Students' Association (BLSA)

Black Law Students' Association (BLSA)

Blakes has a long-standing relationship with BLSA Canada and its chapter initiatives at law schools nationwide. The Firm sponsors the BLSA Canada annual conference, participates in career fairs, and is the title sponsor of BLSA Osgoode’s Opportunity Day.

Black Future Lawyers (BFL)

Black Future Lawyers (BFL)

Blakes is a proud sponsor of the Annual Black Future Lawyers Conference, which is intended to offer support to Black undergraduate students who aspire to go to law school and become lawyers.

Black Female Lawyers Network (BFLN)
Black Female Lawyers Network (BFLN)

Blakes collaborates with BFLN to sponsor the annual Sistahs-In-Law Retreat, an opportunity for Black Canadian women to convene, share and learn from one another.
Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)

Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)

Blakes proudly supports BLAC, a non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low or no-income Black residents of Ontario.

BlackNorth Initiative

BlackNorth Initiative

Together with other leading Canadian law firms, Blakes signed the Law Firm Pledge and committed to addressing and combating anti-Black and other forms of racism in the legal profession. 

Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL)

Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL)

Blakes has a long-lasting relationship with CABL, a national network of Black law professionals and other interested members of the community from across Canada. Blakes has had the honour of hosting CABL receptions and events and frequently sponsors CABL’s Annual Gala.

Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP)

Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP)

The Firm serves as pro bono counsel to the CAUFP, a member-based resource organization providing a link between corporations and the Black communities through innovative programs that facilitate economic growth and educational opportunities. 

Avenue: Black Undergraduate Law Internship Program

Avenue: Black Undergraduate Law Internship Program

In 2022, Blakes launched the Black Undergraduate Law Internship Program, which was developed in partnership with the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN), Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion (LLD), the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and other professional services firms. The internship aims to support the professional ambitions of Black undergraduate students in Canada who may be interested in pursuing a legal career. In the past two years, Blakes has hired interns in each of its Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver offices.