LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
2024 PRESIDENT’S AWARD
National GC Network calls for nominations/applications for its inaugural President’s Award. This peer-adjudicated award recognizes a legal professional who is Black, Indigenous or a person of colour for their remarkable impact or service to the advance of Truth & Reconciliation and equity, diversity and inclusion. Click below for more information.
Nomination Deadline: Nominations are now closed.
2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 20, 2024
81 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario
This year’s Empowered Voices conference will feature top leadership and legal speakers addressing body language, board governance, business ethics, mental wellness and more!
We will kick off with a pre-conference social dinner (November 19; Arbequina Restaurant) and end with a cocktail reception and dinner (November 20; Woods Restaurant).
TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS IN CANADA
The in-house category of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in 2024 includes members of the National GC Network.
Congratulations Ashley Butts, Hina Latif, and Kamika McLean!
Congratulations to Julia Shin Doi on her appointment as a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario! Long may Justice Shin Doi preside!
Thank you, Ritu Bhasin, for sharing your words of wisdom and empowerment with NGCN at our fireside chat!
Thank you to our sponsors, First National Financial for hosting us and Mintz LLP for your support.
WHO WE ARE
We are a Canadian non-profit coalition of General Counsel and in-house lawyers who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour, and our allies. We started informally as a handful of General Counsel who shared similar experiences of bringing Truth and Reconciliation (T&R) and equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) initiatives to our organizations. With popular interest, we incorporated in January 2021 to launch The National GC Network.
OUR PURPOSE
The National GC Network’s primary mission is to help General Counsel and in-house lawyers advance T&R and ED&I values in our organizations and the legal community. We aim to promote leadership opportunities for Canadian Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour lawyers.
2021 STRATEGIC GOALS
Our strategy is informed by our unique backgrounds and identities, which have shaped our professional careers. We recognize that Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour lawyers have been historically and continue to be disadvantaged in the workforce.
Our goal is to promote tools that will ensure equal opportunities for under-represented lawyers. Our 2021 priorities will also include developing a communications strategy to bring T&R and ED&I issues to our boards and sharing best practices with senior management.
We plan to provide continuing education opportunities with help from T&R and ED&I experts, and to build a trusted network to support Indigenous, Black and People of Colour lawyers across Canada.
The National GC Network also plans to support in-house lawyers in ensuring their external counsel are aligned with their vision of T&R and ED&I.
LEADERSHIP BASED ON ALLY-SHIP
Champions for Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
IN THE NEWS
“National GC Network launched by 13 racialized general counsel in Canada…priorities include bringing issues of equity, diversity and inclusion to the board.” Canadian Lawyer magazine
GET INVOLVED
BECOME A MEMBER
Indigenous, Black and People of Colour GCs who would like to join the National GC Network…
BECOME AN ADVOCATE
Want to show support for this important cause? Individuals or firms that wish to provide sponsorship or allyship …
CONNECT WITH US
For more information, contact us at info@nationalgcnetwork.ca.