Philippe Johnson Discusses Law Firm Diversity and Engagement in Les Affaires

In Les Affaires’ annual edition “Les grands du droit” (available in French) published on May 12, 2021, Davies Montréal managing partner Philippe Johnson shared his thoughts on efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal industry.

As client demand for more diversified law firms grows, Philippe admits that attracting young people from certain communities to the profession can be a challenge, stating, “In some circles, there are few lawyers and even fewer business lawyers, so young people lack this type of role model and do not think they can choose this career.”

In light of this concern, last year Davies launched a virtual mentoring program for first-year law students that has already matched 150 mentors and mentees.

Philippe adds that Davies is active in the community through its pro bono work, with the goal of breaking down barriers and supporting equality. The firm has acted pro bono in a number of recent significant cases, including the following:

• the lawsuit by the Centre for Gender Advocacy against the Québec government concerning the rights of transgender, non-binary and intersex people;
• a class action lawsuit against Canada Artistic Swimming for failing to protect athletes from psychological abuse and harassment; and
• the challenge by the World Sikh Organization of Canada against the Act respecting the laicity of the State, which bans the wearing of religious symbols by certain public sector employees in Québec.

“It is our mission to not only help our clients, but to help effect change on a societal level in terms of promoting equality and countering discrimination in all forms,” Philippe stated.