by LAWPRO

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Corporate Social Responsibility at LAWPRO is informed by a spirit of community and accountability, while acknowledging that we are governed and profoundly shaped by our unique role as the provider of the primary professional liability insurance program for lawyers in Ontario.

Supporting our future legal community

LAWPRO’s efforts and activities to support law students included 12 presentations at law schools, LPP programs and colleges.

In its twelfth year, LAWPRO’s sponsorship of the annual award of the Caron Wishart Memorial Scholarship went to University of Toronto Faculty of Law student Alexander Jia-Hao TJ Macfarlane.

The Caron Wishart Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Caron Wishart, LAWPRO’s first Vice President, Claims who passed away in 2010.

The fully endowed scholarship, managed by the University of Toronto, was funded by donations from LAWPRO, Caron’s family members, and members and organizations of the legal profession.

In 2023, LAWPRO held a Women’s Networking event and an Early Career Mentorship event to develop relationships and build community with new and established counsel. Both events received great feedback from attendees who enjoyed connecting in person.

Providing a healthy and rewarding workplace

In furtherance of LAWPRO’s commitment to advancing mental health awareness, LAWPRO provided approximately one-half of the funding for the Law Society arm’s-length Member Assistance Program (MAP).

LAWPRO achieved the Ontario Living Wage Employer Certification. This certification looks at living wage, market competitiveness and total compensation with the goal to ensure a competitive program to attract, retain and reward employees.

LAWPRO continued its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion journey and partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (“CCDI”). Various free CCDI webinars were made available to employees. The EDI Advisory Group regularly posted awareness days/months and provided additional resources.

Giving back to the Canadian community

Over 90% of employees participated in LAWPRO’s employee-led charitable giving program and the funds raised were matched by LAWPRO. LAWPRO continued to encourage employees to take a paid day to volunteer at an eligible charity of their choice. Other initiatives included participating in Partners for Life (Canadian Blood Services).

To strengthen our community, LAWPRO staff nominate and elect five charities to support each year through employee payroll deductions and special events. In 2023, $28,710 was raised for the following five charities: Canadian Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, The Toronto Humane Society, Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Daily Bread Food Bank and Minwaashin Lodge -Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre. LAWPRO employees are proud to support charities that are doing critical work to build a more just and equitable future.