Culture, Inclusion & Social Responsibility

Our business is about meeting our clients' needs, respecting our people and engaging them to make a difference. Part of our objectives as a firm is to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment and to invest in local communities.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) at McCarthy Tétrault reflects our long-standing commitment in these areas. Our CSR efforts focus on five areas.

Our People

There are many opportunities for our students to connect with peers, lawyers and staff on a professional and social level. There are also a number of initiatives and programs which contribute to a positive working environment in which everyone feels respected and can contribute to making a difference. Diversity and volunteerism are the core values that guide our efforts to positively affect our workplace and our local communities.

Inclusion

McCarthy Tétrault has been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 13 years running. The firm is recognized for its long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility. The Firm’s Inclusion Now program is an industry-leading, action-oriented plan centered around four pillars:  Leadership, Talent, Culture and Community. In addition to file work, students will have the opportunity to get involved in Inclusion Now initiatives over the course of the summer.

Charitable Giving

The McCarthy Tétrault Foundation established in 1997, was a first among Canadian law firms, with the goal of giving back to the communities in which we reside and work. Since it’s inception, the McCarthy Tétrault Foundation has invested more than $20.7 million in non-profit organizations, local programs and initiatives that improve the lives of everyday Canadians. In 2024, the Foundation donated over $534,500 in support more than 86 organizations and causes, including hospitals, local charities, food banks, youth and cultural programs, arts organizations and law schools.

Community & Pro Bono Work

At McCarthy Tétrault, we take pride in making our communities better places to live and work. In collaboration with government institutions, not-for-profit organizations and other community partners, we help disadvantaged and low-income individuals with matters related to civil liberties, human rights, financial services, business and labour and employment law.

McCarthy Tétrault offers you the opportunity to serve the interests of our profession and to use your talent to help others. Under the guidance of our lawyers, you will have the chance to interact directly with clients. Pro bono work is not only fulfilling, but is also a rewarding way to deepen your legal knowledge, develop your skills, and obtain recognition for your initiative. Many of our students have volunteered to work with our lawyers on various pro bono projects and cases, including Supreme Court of Canada interventions. Our lawyers say they have greatly appreciated the students' assistance, and our students say they have truly benefitted from the experience.

We are proud to be the sole national law firm sponsor of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) and foster close relationships with the pro bono chapters in law schools across the country.

In the last fifteen years, we have delivered more than 125,000 hours of pro bono services, valued in excess of $50 million, to social justice issues throughout Canada.

Environmental Initiatives

While we give advice to our clients on how to respect their environmental obligations, environmental considerations also play an important role in our own processes and decisions. Through our internal Environmental Committee, we are reducing the impact of our activities on the environment. Our efforts focus on 3 key areas: Waste Reduction, Resource Efficiency and Reducing GHG Emissions.  We also play a leadership role in the Canadian Law Firm Sustainability Alliance whose goal is to help all Canadian Law firms improve their environmental footprint.