Socially conscious, community-minded
Our lawyers and staff also volunteer their time and talents to support a variety of communities in need. And we pair our lawyers and staff with community agencies looking for volunteers or board members through our intranet Community Volunteer Involvement page.
As part of our Programs of Excellence, Osler makes annual contributions to law schools across the country, funding Visiting Professors and Chairs, student bursaries and scholarships, seminars and conferences, and innovative research.
Offering our time has been a rewarding opportunity to connect with the community.
Firm-wide initiatives
U of T student financial awards and a research chair in honour of the late Geoff Taber
Established at the University of Toronto in memory of our friend and former colleague Geoff Taber, The Geoff Taber Memorial Award at the Faculty of Law, the Geoff Taber Memorial Scholarship at the Rotman School of Management and the Geoff Taber Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Rotman honour Geoff’s many contributions to the business and legal communities and his passion for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
United Way Centraide Canada’s 2024 “Thanks a Million” recipient
Osler is proud to have been named a United Way Centraide Canada 2024 “Thanks a Million” recipient for raising more than $1 million in support of the organization’s work in local communities. Osler’s Canadian offices have raised more than $22 million to support the United Way/Centraide and its network of agencies in delivering vital social services over the past 18 years. Our national campaign raised more than $1.3 million for United Way in 2024.
Give a Day to World AIDS
Since 2006, under the leadership of Technology partner Michael Fekete, Osler lawyers and staff have donated one day’s income in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, our firm raised over $119,632 — with the funds being directed to The Stephen Lewis Foundation for distribution to grassroots programs in Africa. Give a Day to World AIDS was founded by family physician Dr. Jane Philpott in 2004, when she challenged her colleagues at Markham Stouffville Hospital to donate a day’s pay to fight HIV. Since then, Give a Day has grown in the medical and legal communities and has raised over $5.5 million. More than $2.2 million of this has been donated through the generosity of Osler partners, associates and legal staff. Find out more about our connection to Give a Day to World AIDS.
Terry Fox Run
Since 1987, Osler’s offices across Canada have participated in the Terry Fox Run to raise over $688,000 for cancer research. In 2024 alone, we raised $41,300.
Supporting United Way is one of the most unifying things we do as a firm. United Way benefits and we as a team benefit — getting behind the organization is incredibly important to us.
Toronto initiatives
Daily Bread Food Bank
Each December, our Toronto office participates in the annual law firm challenge, raising money and donating food for families in need. In 2024, more than $5,300 was raised.
WoodGreen Homeward Bound
Since 2009, Osler has been involved with this four-year program helping single mothers overcome financial difficulty through the provision of affordable housing, on-site daycare, education, training and job support. Osler provides support to program participants through charitable giving, education, internships and job search.
TRIEC Mentoring Partnership
In 2018, Osler joined TRIEC Mentoring Partnership, a program that connects recent immigrants with mentors in their professional field. Newcomers bring talent, innovation and international expertise to the Greater Toronto Area, but they need information and networks to succeed. Mentors help bridge that gap. By volunteering as mentors, participating Osler staff and legal professionals are connecting with our communities, sharing knowledge and insight about the Canadian job market, and helping others succeed.
Osler’s fundraising efforts have created a meaningful impact in our local neighbourhoods.
Montréal initiatives
Pedal for Kids
Since 2002, the Montréal office has been participating in the Mighty Bike Ride, a week-long fundraising event for the Montréal Children’s Hospital Foundation. In 2024, Osler raised more than $37,000.
Community Day
Osler’s Montréal office has been an active participant in Community Day from 2012 to 2023. Our firm’s annual involvement in various community projects as well as hosting entertainment activities for children and adults demonstrates our ongoing commitment to give back to the community.
Not only is Osler renewing its commitment to the community, it’s also bringing the dream of home to hundreds of individuals and families in need.
Calgary initiatives
Student Legal Assistance
A pro-bono legal clinic that provides legal information and representation to low-income residents of Calgary and the surrounding area. Osler supports this organization through pro bono work and charitable donations.
Calgary Youth Justice Society
The Calgary Youth Justice Society has been helping youth since 1996 through programs that build resilience, reduce risk and nurture community connections. Our Calgary office sponsors their annual Gala that raises funds to connect adult volunteers with youth who need support and, in some cases, because they have been in conflict with the law.
Canadian Energy Law Foundation (CELF)
Osler supports the CELF in its role within the Canadian Energy Bar to lead the advancement of law relating to and affecting the petroleum and natural gas industry, including their Annual Research Seminar in Oil and Gas Law (Jasper Seminar).
Association of Women Lawyers (Calgary) (AWL)
Our Calgary lawyers proudly support the AWL, a group committed to promoting the advancement, equality, interests and well-being of women in the legal profession. AWL hosts events to enhance the stature of women lawyers in the legal profession and provide them with support and tools to break through the glass ceiling.
Calgary Economic Development
A conduit, connector, catalyst and storyteller for the city of Calgary. Promoting Calgary as the location of choice for people, investment and business, their work is rooted in positioning Calgary for long-term economic success and shared prosperity for all. Osler has been a significant contributing partner with CED for the past nine years.
Trees of Joy
A Make-A-Wish Canada event which spreads hope and joy during the holiday season and, most importantly, helps grant future wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Vancouver initiatives
Cause We Care
Osler Vancouver is proud to maintain ongoing support for Cause We Care, an organization founded to help single mothers achieve economic security, build capacity, and create a positive future for themselves and their children. Osler is a title sponsor of Cause We Care’s annual Mother’s Day Lunch, and we are a Corporate Champion of the Cause We Care Holiday Care Package Campaign.
United Way
United Way is a long-standing initiative that brings the Vancouver team together to fundraise for their community during annual week-long campaigns. Some of the causes and programs under United Way include helping people move out of or avoid poverty, empowering youth, and supporting local neighbourhoods. The Vancouver United Way Committee organizes several fun events and activities throughout the weeklong campaigns that encourage everyone to get involved.
Terry Fox Run
The Terry Fox Run and the accompanying fundraising campaign has been one of the Vancouver office’s marquee fundraising and team bonding events each year and is a staple of the firm’s fundraising initiatives nationally. The annual Vancouver Office Terry Fox run is traditionally held in Stanley Park, where an enthusiastic cohort participates while raising money for cancer research.
Dress for Success Vancouver
The Vancouver office participates in this annual event by gathering gently used clothing donations for Dress for Success Vancouver, which helps promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools.
The Shoebox Project Vancouver
On an annual basis, members of the Vancouver office work together to gather the supplies, donations and labour needed to thoughtfully create and decorate shoeboxes that were filled with treats and everyday essentials. These shoeboxes are distributed during the holiday season to women impacted by homelessness in Vancouver.
