TORONTO – Bennett Jones LLP is pleased to announce that their CEO, Hugh MacKinnon, has signed the Statement of Principles of the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network, as part of the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal community.

We join 16 other law firms from across Canada that have signed the Statement of Principles. Law firms in the Network aim to share ideas and work together to promote diversity and encourage a culture of inclusion in their firms and the legal professional generally, to attract and retain the best talent, and best serve their clients.

The Diversity and Inclusion Network's Statement of Principles

The Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network (LFDIN) is a group of Canadian law firms who have agreed to work together to promote diversity and encourage a culture of inclusion in our firms and the broader legal profession. Diversity and inclusion are core values of LFDIN members. We believe that valuing and enhancing diversity and inclusion will help us attract and retain the best talent and better serve our clients' needs in an evolving global marketplace. LFDIN members undertake to practice and advance diversity and inclusion by:

• Sharing ideas for the promotion of diversity and inclusion in connection with recruitment, retention and advancement within law firms
• Working with Legal Leaders for Diversity and other general counsel, law departments, business leaders and professional associations in their efforts to advance diversity and inclusion
• Supporting outreach programs in law schools and the broader community
• Promoting thought leadership and constructive dialogue on issues of diversity and inclusion
• Evaluating our efforts

About Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms, and home to more than 375 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices – Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Beijing and Washington. With exceptional experience in complex cross-border and international transactions, Bennett Jones is well equipped to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures, and to connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world.