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Blakes and CIBC Reintegration of Women Lawyers into the Workplace

March 29, 2022

Since 2018, Blakes, in partnership with CIBC, has been offering a program to assist experienced women lawyers returning to the practice of law, after an absence of two or more years, with obtaining additional legal experience. This will be a ten-month paid position. This program is designed to give women lawyers returning to the workforce recent job experience at a leading Canadian law firm and within a large, sophisticated in-house legal department at CIBC. The program is intended to offer participants an opportunity to showcase their talents in the workplace, while at the same time increasing their experience, skills and contacts.

Structure of the Program

We will structure the program to accommodate flexible hours of work and will provide coaching support for the successful candidate. We do appreciate that candidates may be facing different challenges as a result of the pandemic, or in connection with returning to work, that may impact their hours of work.

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to women who (1) have three or more years of experience in a corporate/commercial or other transaction-based practice, (2) have left the workforce for at least two years, (3) wish to return to the workforce as a practising lawyer, and (4) are eligible to practice law in Ontario.

How to Apply?

Applicants will provide the following to Blakes by clicking on the following link: submit application

A cover letter and résumé
Law school and undergraduate transcripts
A letter of recommendation from a member of the legal profession, a coach or professor from a law school, a partner at a law firm, or senior management at the firm or company at which they were employed immediately prior to exiting the job market

Process

Blakes and CIBC welcome applications from all qualified applicants. However, only successful candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

Both Blakes and CIBC are committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment comprised of people with different perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and cultures.

The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) is a leading business law firm with offices in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, New York, London, Bahrain and Beijing. Serving a diverse national and international client base, our integrated office network provides clients with access to the Firm’s full spectrum of capabilities in virtually every area of business law. Whether an issue is local or multi-jurisdictional, practice-area specific or interdisciplinary, Blakes handles transactions of all sizes and levels of complexity. We also focus on building long-term relationships with clients by providing unparalleled client service and the highest standard of legal advice, always informed by the business context. More information on Blakes is available by visiting the Firm's website at www.blakes.com or by following us on Twitter @BlakesLaw.