Norton Rose Canada launches Canadian LGBTA network
June 21, 2012

Norton Rose Canada launched its lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified and allies (LGBTA) network in Canada yesterday in conjunction with Pride at Work Canada and Legal Leaders for Diversity. The network will help to create and sustain an inclusive work environment at Norton Rose Canada and support all LGBTA employees.

Troy Ungerman, a member of Norton Rose Canada’s diversity committee and Canadian M&A team co-chair said:

“Our new Canadian LGBTA network is about involvement, support and respect. Our clients expect it. Our sense of fairness demands it.

“While we have always been committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace, the creation of our Canadian LGBTA network is our latest step in becoming even more welcoming to employees. This helps us serve Canadian and international clients with highly dynamic teams, something that’s crucial as our global business continues to grow.”

Norton Rose Canada’s LGBTA network is open to all staff and professionals of the firm. Initiatives will include:

• hosting educational seminars for employees and clients;
• actively participating in community projects;
• actively participating in student outreach programs such as Out on Bay Street; and
• actively participating in organizations such as Pride at Work Canada.

The launch featured a panel discussion regarding the importance of straight allies in creating an LGBT-friendly workplace. The panellists were:

• Kenneth Fredeen, General Counsel, Secretary to the Board, Deloitte & Touche LLP and co-founder of Legal Leaders for Diversity Canada
• Jacki Challenger, Vice President Leadership Coaching, Strategy and Human Resources, Canadian Banking, Royal Bank of Canada
• Brent Chamberlain, Executive Director, Pride at Work Canada

Norton Rose Canada has for years been actively implementing best practice diversity and inclusion policies and programmes. The firm is determined to be a successful example in the legal sector and the broader business community. Globally, Norton Rose Group’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network was launched in 2010.

For further information please contact:

Peter Zvanitajs, senior public relations advisor (English press), Norton Rose Canada LLP
Tel: +1 416 216 1871; Mob: +1 416 553 5789
peter.zvanitajs@nortonrose.com

Editors note

About Norton Rose Canada LLP

Norton Rose Canada LLP is a member of Norton Rose Group, a leading international legal practice offering a full business law service to many of the world’s pre-eminent financial institutions and corporations from offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Central Asia.
 
The Group’s lawyers share industry knowledge and sector expertise across borders to support clients anywhere in the world. The Group is strong in financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
 
Norton Rose Group has more than 2900 lawyers operating from offices in Abu Dhabi, Almaty, Amsterdam, Athens, Bahrain, Bangkok, Beijing, Bogotá, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Canberra, Cape Town, Caracas, Casablanca, Dubai, Durban, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, Milan, Montréal, Moscow, Munich, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, Piraeus, Prague, Québec, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Warsaw; including associate offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta.
 
Norton Rose Group comprises Norton Rose LLP, Norton Rose Australia, Norton Rose Canada LLP, Norton Rose South Africa (incorporated as Deneys Reitz Inc.), and their respective affiliates.

About Pride at Work Canada

Founded in 2008, Pride at Work Canada is the leading non-profit organization supporting the LGBT community in Canadian workplaces. Through dialogue, education and leadership, Pride at Work empowers individuals and organizations to foster a workplace culture that recognizes LGBT employees as an important part of a diverse workforce.

Working with dozens of leading national and local organizations that employ over 650,000 Canadians, Pride at Work Canada helps its Corporate Partners to be recognized as employers of choice for the LGBT community in Canada. As part of their membership, partner organizations share good practice and attend a variety of seminars and networking events across the country. Pride at Work currently holds events in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal.

About Legal Leaders for Diversity

Legal Leaders for Diversity supports diversity and inclusion by General Counsel in Canada. The organization values the range of perspectives, ideas and experiences that diversity provides and believes that diversity and inclusion create a broader, richer environment that enhances creative thinking, innovation and problem solving. Legal Leaders for Diversity encourages greater diversity and inclusion in members’ businesses and co-operates to foster these same values throughout the legal profession and the larger Canadian business community.