The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) has partnered with The Counsel Network, with the generous support of TD Ready Commitment, to initiate a groundbreaking survey targeting CABL members and Black lawyers across Canada. The survey aims to collect empirical data and gain valuable insights into the experiences of Black legal professionals in various aspects of their careers.
The comprehensive survey will delve into multiple aspects of the Black experience within the legal profession, including job interviews, work environments, opportunities for advancement, support from mentors and sponsorship, as well as experiences within law firms, government institutions, and private companies.
The initiative’s primary goal is to capture and analyze critical data that sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Black lawyers throughout their careers. By gathering such empirical data, CABL seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the disparate outcomes and barriers encountered by Black lawyers in the legal field.
In a recent interview with Law360, both Kyle Elliott and Raphael Tachie, the current and past presidents of CABL, emphasized the significance of this survey and its potential impact on the legal profession. They expressed their hope that the survey would serve as a catalyst for meaningful discussions and collaboration among legal practitioners and stakeholders.
Kyle Elliott emphasized that comprehensive and accurate data is the foundation for driving positive change and dismantling systemic barriers. He stressed that understanding the unique challenges faced by Black lawyers is crucial in creating a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.
By launching this survey, CABL aims to foster dialogue across the legal community and inspire concrete actions to address the issues uncovered. The data collected from the survey is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal field.
The survey is open to all Black lawyers in Canada and can be accessed through the provided link. Participants are encouraged to complete the survey by July 31, 2023, and contribute to this significant effort in creating a more equitable and representative legal profession in Canada.
Take the survey at https://cabl.ca/the-survey-examining-the-black-lawyers-experience-in-canada-is-live/
