The Bridge
News from the PLDIC
Issue 1, March 2020

Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together 
First PLDIC E-Newsletter
Welcome to the premiere issue of the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition's (PLDIC) e-newsletter, The Bridge. We hope this new format makes it easier to stay up-to-date on PLDIC news and events. Our goal is to better serve our audiences by providing more ways to receive the latest info about our programs, initiatives, and diversity-related opportunities .
Important Information on Status of Upcoming Events

Like all organizations and individuals, the Coalition is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 throughout the nation and the world. Although we do not have any reported cases in Pittsburgh yet, we will join others in following steps to contain its spread here. We will be particularly cognizant of decisions made by our member law firms and law departments.
 This newsletter contains news of upcoming Coalition events that may have to be postponed . We will communicate with you as decisions are made. In the meantime, we are excited to offer programs that we are confident will provide value to our members and that we are poised to proceed with as conditions allow, either now or in the future.

Please note: The PLDIC Happy Hour and Scavenger Hunt at Heinz History Center originally scheduled for March 19 has been postponed. The ACBA Night at the Theater: American Son and the Second Annual LGBT/Ally Night Out at the Opera events have been cancelled.
Save the Date for the PLDIC Spring Members Meeting
Mark your calendar for the PLDIC Spring Members Meeting on April 16 from 8-10 a.m. at K&L Gates. The meeting will kick-off a year-long series of programs and events entitled Towards a Culture of Inclusion .” At the meeting, Ritu Bhasin, a people strategist and inclusion specialist, will present As a Leader, How You Can Interrupt Bias in the Workplace. More info.

The Internalization of Racial Bias What Happens in the Workplace
Ritu will also present a luncheon program from 12- 2 p.m., presented in conjunction with the ACBA's Homer S. Brown Division and its "Straight Talk Series." The Internalization of Racial Bias — What Happens in the Workplace is open to all attorneys in the Pittsburgh legal community and will focus on the experience of diverse lawyers in the workplace. More details .
Important Member Notice
Please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from Susan Yohe, who will be requesting an
in-person meeting with the each member’s Managing Partner or General Counsel for two purposes: (1) to tell you more about “Towards a Culture of Inclusion”; and (2) to get each member’s opinion on how the Coalition can better meet each member’s needs. What should we be doing that we are not doing? What should we be doing more of — or less? How can we communicate better with our members? And anything else on your mind.
Coalition Elects New Officers
The inaugural chair of the Board of Directors — Dana Yealy, Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh — has stepped down after two years. Taking his place is board secretary Don Bluedorn, Managing Shareholder of Babst Calland. Eric Cottle, partner at K&L Gates, is now secretary. Learn more about these changes.
Above: (left to right): Dana Yealy and Don Bluedorn

Welcome to the Newest PLDIC Member - Gateway Health
The Coalition welcomes its newest member, the law department of Gateway Health , and Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Frances A. Woodward. Learn more and view the recent statement by Gateway Health CEO Cain Hayes on the Gender & Racial Inequalities in Pittsburgh report issued by the Pittsburgh Gender Equality Commission.
Coalition Hires Communications Assistant
The Coalition hired Megan Edwards to help it with its communications needs — including newsletters, program announcements, website updates, and social media. Previously, Megan was a communications specialist for the University of Pittsburgh. Learn more.
First Community Building Event of 2020
The Coalition’s Community Building Committee kicked off the year with a successful happy hour on February 20 at City Works. The committee, chaired by Traci Rea and Michael Komo, already has a great line-up of events planned for 2020 — learn more and check out the schedule on our website .
PLDIC Issues Statement in Response to Allegations Against Judge Tranquilli
for the latest news and updates