Montréal (Canada) — Fasken Martineau, a leading international business law and litigation firm, launched its CIGOGNE program for its Québec offices today. The program is designed for all lawyers who have recently become parents or who are planning to become parents in the near future. It provides advice and tools for future parents and practice group leaders in supporting new parents.
In December 2014, the firm surveyed its lawyers to identify their perceptions regarding parental leave (maternity and paternity leave), validate the expectations and needs of young professionals in the firm who have become parents, and determine which steps could be taken regarding parental leave. To respond to the comments made in the survey, and highlight the importance of retaining women in our firm, Fasken Martineau has developed a program that provides support, guidance and tools for lawyers in the firm who are planning to take parental leave, from the time they announce their pregnancy to when they go on leave, and until they return. The parental leave program is intended to evolve over time in response to market trends and the needs of Fasken Martineau’s lawyers, with the aim of ensuring its continuous improvement.
The CIGOGNE program includes a number of practical tools, such as items for lawyers to consider, a checklist for the practice group leader, a checklist for women lawyers who are planning their leave, a legal framework, mentor support, relevant reading, and advice for finding childcare solutions.
The program will also help to improve perceptions about maternity and paternity leave and harmonize the outlooks of the firm’s different generations by creating accessible and open dialogue.
About Fasken Martineau
Fasken Martineau is a leading international business law and litigation firm. With more than 700 lawyers, the firm has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, London and Johannesburg. For additional information, please visit the firm’s website at www.fasken.com.