Canada's Top 100 Employers (2026) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 20
24
( 2026 )
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Blakes has a rich tradition of building on success
A
t Blake, Cassels
& Graydon LLP
(Blakes), progress isn’t
just a goal, it’s
a tradition. When
Mary Jackson joined Blakes in
1999, she knew she was joining
a law firm with a long-standing
reputation for excellence. Founded
in 1856, the firm has been a leading
Canadian law firm for more than
160 years.
Throughout its history, the
firm has consistently built on
what came before to adapt to an
evolving landscape and to create
a better workplace. That tradition
of building on success laid the
groundwork for the firm’s early
and ongoing commitment to
inclusion and is what continues to
define Blakes today.
“Even then, I was impressed with
how forward thinking the firm
already was with the beginning of
its diversity and inclusion strategy,
a keen focus on improving gender
equality and one of the first
LGBTQI2S+ affinity groups at a
Canadian law firm,” says Jackson,
now chief officer, professional
resources. “The firm’s openness
to new ideas — and this describes
its culture — its willingness to let
me build on these ideas, allowed
me to grow into a role that evolved
organically.”
Kyle Elliott, counsel, diversity
and inclusion, had much the same
experience when he joined the law
firm in 2017. “We have a reputation
as a leader in so many areas, but
what really made me feel good
about coming to Blakes was the
workplace culture, the support we
give each other.”
From the start, Elliott’s diversity,
equity and inclusion work has
been backed strongly by Blakes’
leadership. “We’ve seen more
diverse lawyers coming into
the firm, and the conversations
we’ve been able to have around
inclusion have become more
robust and nuanced,” says Elliott.
“Our leadership recognizes that it’s
not just the right thing to do, but
it also makes us better. Different
perspectives lead to better
outcomes.”
Best of all, continues Elliott,
Blakes has never lost a focus
rooted in its tradition of success.
The firm is always asking, “How
can we do better?” Elliott says. “We
know there is always opportunity
to improve, and we are intentional
about progress.”
We have a reputation
as a leader in so many
areas, but what really
made me feel good
about coming to Blakes
was the workplace
culture, the support we
give each other.
— Kyle Elliott
Counsel,
Diversity and Inclusion
Employees from the Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP office in Calgary participate in the local Pride Parade,
celebrating inclusion and supporting the firm’s pro bono client, Calgary Pride.
This mindset extends to mental
wellness, another area of focus
for the firm’s supportive culture.
Jackson and Elliott agree that
recruiting the best, most diverse
talent and making all newcomers
feel included ties in strongly with
ensuring people are taking care
of their mental well-being. “It’s
really tough to feel included in a
workplace when you’re struggling
with poor mental health, and
when you don’t feel included,
this can further contribute to
increased anxiety and stress,” says
Elliott. “There’s definitely a push
and pull between inclusion and
well-being.”
Jackson, who felt adrift as an
associate lawyer after her father’s
death by suicide, came to Blakes
determined to help mould a
