OBA EDI PROGRAM | Original Program Date: February 2-4, 2022

Legal organizations are prioritizing workplace equality, diversity and inclusion as never before.  Figuring out the “how” to address and improve these complex challenges require a multi-pronged approach.

Our expert panelists focus on analysing the structures of institutional bias, and share concrete solutions on how key stakeholders in the legal profession are advancing the EDI discussion.  Experts from outside of the legal profession share their innovative approaches to tackling EDI issues in their respective fields.

Add proven strategies and approaches to your EDI tool kit, as provided by senior members of the bench, academics, diversity experts, and business leaders.  These sessions are not to be missed!

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Bronwyn Martin, Moodie Mair Walker LLP
Dennis Ong, Aviva Trial Lawyers

AGENDA

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 – 7:45AM – 8:45AM
The Science Behind the Bias We All Have

• Focus on the importance of EDI to our role as lawyers.
• Gain a social psychological perspective on implicit bias from an expert in social psychology.
• How does bias affect our roles as professional?

The Honourable Chief Justice George R. Strathy, Ontario Court of Appeal
Dr. Kerry Kawakami, Professor of Social Psychology, York University, Toronto

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 - 7:45AM – 8:45AM
The “How” of Change:  Think Outside of The Law

• How are other business sectors addressing bias?  What challenges have they faced?
• Gain best practices from other sectors in addressing bias
• What works and what doesn’t to help improve institutional diversity?

Gopal Bansal, Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, Royal Bank of Canada
Charlene Theodore, Chief Inclusion Officer, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 - 7:45AM – 8:45AM
The Future: Where Do We as the Legal Profession Go From Here? [POSTPONED]

• Gain top tips from a diversity expert who assists organizations in advancing their unique EDI objectives.
• Hear from the Bench regarding a vision for the future, and strategies of how to achieve EDI goals for the Bench and Bar.

The Honourable Justice P. Tamara Sugunasiri, Superior Court of Justice – Toronto
Naveen Mehta, Cultur Works