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At FMC, we want the best people on our team. We believe our team’s strength comes from having a cross-section of all cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, orientations, and backgrounds that our diverse communities reflect. We know that broadening the diversity of our work force also broadens our insight and perspective, which in turn enhance our ability to provide our clients with the best possible advice and service.
At FMC, diversity and inclusiveness are a central part of our overall strategy and business plan. Though we have always done our best to attract a diverse population and provide an accommodating work environment, in 2006 we decided to take a more strategic approach to make certain that:
- our work force truly represents the rich diversity of the local communities where we practice,
- our environment provides real opportunities for all FMC members to advance their careers in meaningful ways, and
- our policies and programs support an inclusive environment that allows for a satisfying balance between work and personal life.
Our Mission
We commit to create and nurture an environment of inclusiveness at FMC where the diversity of our work force contributes to the enrichment of our firm, our professional practice and our community. To accomplish this mission, FMC will:
- develop a comprehensive plan and dedicate the necessary resources to achieve the mission,
- take concrete steps in adopting and advancing policies to ensure FMC reflects a diverse community and recognizes the particular challenges facing lawyers and staff from under-represented communities,
- increase the diversity of the individuals involved in our firm’s decision-making process, and
- educate and train our lawyers and staff to understand and become committed to diversity.
Our Committee
In the fall of 2006, a group of lawyers in our Toronto office got together in the hopes of forming a committee to address the issue of diversity in our firm and our profession. The call for people to serve on the committee attracted everyone from our most senior partners to our junior associates and students. Since then, our team has grown into a National Committee, with representatives from all our offices, who work together on both firm-wide initiatives and issues of local office concern. Our committee members work on a number of focused sub-committees, including, Education, Communication, and Scholarships and Awards. Partners Kate Broer and Chia-yi Chua co-chair FMC’s Diversity Initiatives.
Our Action
We are committed to ensuring that all members of our firm have the opportunity to develop their unique talents to nurture their ongoing success. We work with our team members to accommodate individual beliefs, challenges, and lifestyles in our work environment. Throughout the years, this has included flexible work arrangements, job sharing, and working remotely, to name a few. We also foster an environment where everyone respects, supports and learns from each other’s skills, talents and differences.
In addition, our Diversity Committee has participated in a number of Diversity initiatives in the business and legal communities. Highlights of 2007-2008 include:
- FMC joined KPMG and TD Commercial Banking in co-hosting the Women’s Exchange Network’s Fashionably Speaking event January 31 at Holt Renfrew in Ottawa
- Diversity Initiatives Co-Chair, Kate Broer, continues her work on Catalyst Canada’s Research Advisory Board, looking into Career Advancement in Corporate Canada: A Focus on Visible Minorities
- Established and awarded the first annual FMC Harry Jerome Scholarship for black law students
- Attended the National Association for Law Placement’s Diversity Summit in Chicago and Catalyst Canada’s conference on Advancing Women in Corporate Canada: Current State and Inspiring Solutions
- Attended Creating and Sustaining Inclusive Work Environments: A Call to Action, a conference jointly sponsored by the Conference Board of Canada and the RBC Financial Group
- FMC's Chima Nkemdirim and Chantal Da Silva are speaking at the Black Law Students Association Conference on February 22, 2008
- Diversity Committee-Co-Chair Chia-yi Chua spoke at the University of Toronto Summit on Gender and Diversity in Law, which several FMC members attended
- Inviting the President of Work-Life Harmony Enterprises to speak to our Toronto office about Generational Diversity: Working Successfully with Multiple Generations
- FMC partner Anneli LeGault delivered the keynote speech, "Managing Work/Life Balance" at the Career Women Interaction’s conference on Women in the Law: Facing the Challenges. Several women partners and associates attended
- Second and third year associates are leading three of FMC's international initiatives
- Internally aired for our members numerous Catalyst web-cast case studies on workplace diversity, with post-program discussions
- Hold several programs, social events, golf clinics and client golf day for our women lawyers through our Vault Initiative
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