Private practice

Blakes and CIBC Relaunch Program

August 9, 2018

Blakes and CIBC Reintegration of Women Lawyers into the Workplace

Now in its second year, Blakes, in partnership with CIBC, is offering a program to assist experienced women lawyers returning to the practice of law, after an absence of two or more years, with obtaining 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

The program will run for ten consecutive months starting in mid to late September 2018, with participants commencing the program at Blakes for six months, followed by four months with CIBC Legal in Toronto.

We will structure the program to accommodate flexible hours of work and will provide coaching support for the successful candidate.

Who Can Apply?

This program is open to women who (1) have four 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 at legaljobpostings-tor@blakes.com:

A cover letter and résumé
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.

We will provide accommodation for applicants with disabilities 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.