The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
December 1, 2022
Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
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We are excited to launch the next iteration of the Member Survey! The survey goes live on January 1, 2023, but you can preview it on our Members Only page (there is a version for law firms and a version for in-house legal departments). We will be collecting data as of December 31, 2022. Just as during our last Member Survey in 2018, Gleason & Associates will collect and analyze our survey data and we will use the data from to inform our strategic direction. As PLDIC members, you have already agreed to complete member surveys from time to time, but we want to thank you in advance as your participation is essential to understanding the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community.
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2022 PLDIC Members Holiday Party |
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December 14 from 6-9 p.m. at Shorty's Pins x Pints |
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Join the PLDIC for duckpin bowling, table shuffleboard, foosball, pinball, vintage arcade games, food and drink, and most importantly, good company at our 2022 Members Holiday Party on 12/14 from 6-9 p.m. at Shorty's Pins x Pints! Employees of all member organizations, law students, and participants of our 2L/3L Mentoring Program are welcome to stop by for any portion of the party. Please register in advance so we can plan space accordingly - we will thank you with a $5 gamecard!
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Welcome to our Newest Affiliate Member! |
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The Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association (PLAA) is an award-winning non-profit organization with a rich history of providing invaluable opportunities and connections to legal professionals in southwestern Pennsylvania. With its commitment to education, networking, and community service, the PLAA is a catalyst for growth, as well as professional and personal development.
“The Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association is very pleased to join forces with the PLDIC in support of its mission and purpose. We understand that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity will not only enrich our workplaces and communities, but is necessary and important to achieving success in the business of law and the economy of our region moving forward.”
— William J. Permar
PLAA Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson
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Annual Members Meeting Recap |
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Thanks to all who attended! |
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Nearly 60 individuals attended the Coalition’s 2022 Annual Members Meeting on November 17 at K&L Gates Center. Sandra Yamate, CEO of the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP), joined the Coalition for a candid conversation about her professional journey, experience working with law firms and legal departments on their DEI efforts, and the IILP’s latest reports on diversity in the profession. Member organizations also heard from Executive Director Ena Lebel about the PLDIC’s 2022 accomplishments and 2023 goals and objectives (presentation available on our Members Only page), elected Board members, and heard updates from our three committees. The first “PLDIC Volunteer of the Year” award was also presented to Devon Ferris, associate at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. After the meeting, a networking reception was held for PLDIC members.
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Welcome, New Board Members! |
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At the Annual PLDIC Members Meeting, Board elections were held. Two new individuals were elected to the Board of Directors, with terms set to being in January 2023. Dawn Beighey, Senior Assistant General Counsel – Litigation, United States Steel Corporation and Catherine (Kate) Garfinkel, Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics, Compliance and Privacy Officer, Alcoa Corporation. Eric Cottle, partner at K&L Gates, was also re-elected to a second three-year term. Dawn and Kate will replace Board members Jeff Heeter, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Alcoa Corporation; and Tishekia Williams, Director, Regulatory Legal, Duquesne Light Company. Congratulations to elected Board members, and thank you to those stepping down for your service to the Coalition.
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Coalition Presents First Volunteer of the Year Award |
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The Coalition presented its inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award at its 2022 Annual Members Meeting. The Award was created to honor a member employee who went above and beyond in their volunteer efforts. Congratulations to Devon Ferris, associate at Dickie, McCamey & Chicolte P.C.
“Devon has dedicated so much time, energy, and creativity to our Legal Career Exploration Program for high school students,” said PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel. “She created detailed exercises and fact patterns to engage the students, and tangible resources and certificates to honor these students. And above all, Devon’s genuine desire to connect with the students and to encourage people to join our profession shone through.”
Congratulations, Devon!
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Speaking of Volunteering with the Coaliton... |
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How Should You Get Involved in the PLDIC? |
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There are many ways to get involved in the PLDIC, and we welcome your participation! Find out which volunteer opportunity suits you best in our fun, short quiz! |
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Fostering Effective & Inclusive Feedback: an Interactive Presentation and Feedback Hackathon Experience led by Paula Edgar
January 18 from 2-5 p.m. at UPMC
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This customized 3-hour presentation and hackathon experience led by Paula T. Edgar, Esq., CEO of PGE Consulting Group LLC, is designed to educate and reflect on the importance of fostering a culture of feedback that is inclusive and meaningful for development and increased retention. Learn more about Paula.
The interactive session, to be held in-person at member organization UPMC, will include scenarios to illustrate best practices for communicating and delivering feedback and navigating challenges. Attendees will participate in interactive group discussions with a goal to overcome hesitancy around feedback, build greater empathy and rapport in order to better coach and develop attorneys in their organization.
Participants will also engage in a feedback “hackathon” experience where they will collaborate to develop innovative and inclusive feedback strategies and solutions.
In preparation for the presentation, we’re inviting all members to please complete a short, anonymous survey. Your responses will help Paula to address your specific questions, concerns, and understand your perspectives on this important subject matter. Please take 5-7 minutes to complete the survey by Friday, January 6. While we know that this topic and the information being asked is sensitive, please be assured that the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition does not have access to the survey responses and you cannot be identified via your response. The online survey tool does not collect email addresses or other identifying data from participants in order to assure privacy and confidentiality. The more frank and open you are in your responses, the better Paula will be able to develop the session to serve your needs. Please let Paula know right away if you have any technical difficulties.
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The Path to Belonging – Rise Through the Authenticity Principle: a virtual event for legal professionals of color and indigenous peoples
February 8 from 12-2 p.m.
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The PLDIC is pleased to welcome back Ritu Bhasin on February 8 from 12-2 p.m. for a virtual event for legal professionals of color and indigenous peoples, The Path to Belonging – Rise Through the Authenticity Principle. Ritu's sessions during our 2020 "Towards a Culture of Inclusion" series were some of our most highly attended programs. She is president of bhasin consulting inc., and an award-winning speaker, author, and globally recognized expert in diversity and inclusion, women’s advancement, and authentic leadership. Registered attendees will receive a free copy of Ritu’s book The Authenticity Principle. In order to create a safe space for sharing experiences, we request that only individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color attend this webinar.
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PLDIC Recruiter Panel - It's Not Me, It's You
February 23 from 12-1:30 p.m.
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The PLDIC Recruitment Committee presents “It’s Not Me, It’s You” – a panel presentation on what diverse candidates really think about the Pittsburgh legal market. This program will be held virtually on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 12-1:30pm. Participants will get to hear from the following panel of seasoned recruiters: Aubrey Jones, Max Gelernter, Maura McAnney, and Neil Subramanya about their experiences working with diverse legal candidates considering opportunities in Pittsburgh. What attracts these candidates to our market? What makes them run away? What can we as a Pittsburgh legal community do better when recruiting diverse talent? Moderated by Recruitment Committee Co-Chair Jessica Gangjee, this panel is your chance to gain valuable insight into the competitive legal hiring market. Registration opens soon.
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The recent shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, which took the lives of many LGBTQ+ individuals, is sadly not an isolated incident and Pittsburgh is not exempt from anti-LGBTQ+ violence. There is so much more work to be done to ensure that every single member in our community is empowered to live their life free of violence, grief, and harm from racism, homophobia, and transphobia.
The PLDIC community stands in solidarity with all who have been impacted by these events, and we grieve with our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. As we come together in support of one another, we remain steadfast in our commitment to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal community and the city in an effort to help overcome these violent and unlawful actions.
In support of our LGBTQ+ community, we will be hosting a time for the PLDIC community to come together and process their feelings and find some solace in a supportive environment. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Ena and we will provide you with more information about when and where we will gather.
The PLDIC will also provide additional resources to our community in the coming weeks.
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Littler Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Playbook |
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Member organization Littler created a free resource providing employers with "an interactive, comprehensive collection of resources – including videos, FAQs, podcasts, and high-level summaries – that can help them answer fundamental IE&D compliance questions, assess their current efforts, uncover gaps and challenges, and identify IE&D programming opportunities."
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Your DEI Guide for the Holidays |
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Check out this DEI holiday guide for “practical tips to remove the awkwardness and discomfort of navigating holiday cultural differences and unknowns” from upcoming 2023 PLDIC presenters VOKLY.
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The Bridge is a monthly e-newsletter from the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC). Catch up here if you've missed any issues. Know someone who may be interested in receiving this publication and other PLDIC communications?
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Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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