Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership, employees, and law students of our member organizations are invited to join the PLDIC for our annual members meeting.

Yusuf Zakir, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer at Davis Wright Tremaine and PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel will have a fireside chat to discuss the critical importance of continuing to advance and advocate for DEI work in the current climate.

Member organizations will also hear remarks from Board Chair Eric Cottle, learn about the PLDIC’s progress and plans for the future, and hear updates about new initiatives and ways to get more involved in our efforts. The fourth annual PLDIC Volunteer of the Year award will also be presented. Cocktails and appetizers will be provided.

Erin McCluan of McCluan Law, PLLC will serve as a facilitator and continue the discussion about what it means to be a lawyer with a disability in part three of the four-part series. The series is open to everyone (attendance in parts one and two not required), with a focus on all Pittsburgh area lawyers and law students who identify as having a disability. The goal of the series is not only to benefit individual lawyers, but also to provide these lawyers and law students with a sense of community and improve retention rates in the Pittsburgh legal profession.

This CLE (offering 90-minutes of Ethics credit) will offer attendees the opportunity to explore concepts of wellness, mental health, burnout, and stress, while reflecting on their own well-being. Participants will identify strategies to reduce vulnerability to the negative impacts of stress, learn effective stress-management techniques, and discover both local and national resources to support and strengthen their wellness. The program will also include experiential stress-management activities, opportunities for self-reflection, and a direct discussion of the ways society and race influence Black wellness.

This event is co-sponsored by the PLDIC’s Young Professionals Advisory Board; the Pitt Law Black Alumni Steering Committee; the ACBA’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee; and the ACBA’s Health & Wellness Committee. The event speaker is Matthew Clista, MS, LPC, NCC.

Applications are Open for the PLDIC's Two TALI Scholarships!

Apply by October 15

On June 27, The Advanced Leadership Institute's 2025 Executive Leadership Academy Cohort graduated! The PLDIC congratulates all program graduates, especially PLDIC TALI scholar Jacques Moye, Clark Hill Law; and PLDIC Board member Tony Thompson, Dollar Bank.

Congratulations to the first Susan Yohe PLDIC scholars to graduate from law school: Tiffeny Ayoola, L’25, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University; and Dominique Rodriguez, L’25, University of Pittsburgh School of Law!

"The connections, mentorship, and sense of belonging that came with the PLDIC’s support have also helped me grow both personally and professionally. It’s been incredibly meaningful to have access to a network of legal professionals who genuinely care about my success and are invested in creating pathways for future leaders like myself," said Tiffeny.

"The genuine care shown by the PLDIC members have helped shape not only my path through law school but also the kind of attorney I aspire to be: one who uplifts others and helps create a more inclusive legal profession," said Dominique.

Read their full reflections about how the Susan Yohe PLDIC scholarship helped them through their law school journeys.

Interested in submitting new jobs to the PLDIC Job Board on behalf of your organization? PLDIC member organizations can submit a request to become a job board manager for their organization.

If you've been busy and missed some of our great programming this spring, don't forget that you can view event recordings, resources, and more on our Member Dashboard. All member organization employees can access this library of resources by entering your email (if you don't have an account, just hit the "Request Access" button at the bottom of the page).

PLDIC Family Picnic

August 24

Over 40 individuals representing 11 PLDIC member organizations enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at our third annual PLDIC Family Picnic on Sunday, August 24 at Mellon Park Shelter. Attendees enjoyed great company, nearby playgrounds and a splashpad, and delicious locally catered food and drink.

Virtual Pittsburgh Legal Career Symposium

July 23

More than 45 attendees joined the PLDIC for the Virtual Pittsburgh Legal Career Symposium on July 23, including 12 PLDIC member organizations and attendees from five member law schools. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Carrie Xu of K&L Gates about what makes Pittsburgh the best market to launch your career and find your community and had a chance to visit breakout rooms and ask Pittsburgh legal employers questions. Participants also shared their resumes with participating employers and had a chance to connect with a Pittsburgh attorney.

Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results with Siri Chilazi

June 2, Virtual

Over 35 participants representing 17 PLDIC member organizations attended “Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design with Siri Chilazi” on June 2. Chilazi’s book of the same name unveils a “new paradigm for fairness at work and offers professionals at every level, in any kind of organization, immediate, proven, and evidence-based ways to do their everyday work better and smarter—and more fairly.” Members can access the recording on our Member Dashboard.

Law Student Support

Pitt Law's Organization Fair

On August 15, the PLDIC participated in Pitt Law's organization fair for 1Ls during their orientation week. The PLDIC, represented by Sarah Winters (Pitt Law alum, Fox Rothschild attorney, and PLDIC YPAB member), joined other student-led and outside organizations to welcome the new law students. Students learned about the PLDIC and how we support them - including an upcoming networking panel at Pitt Law and our annual 1L Speed Networking event in January. They also had a chance to sign up for a mentor.

Fuel for the Bar: Feeding Minds, Bellies, and Souls

More than 30 law students studying for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam stopped by Pitt Law on July 9 for a meal and words of encouragement from Pittsburgh lawyers who have been there and know how important feeling encouraged is to success. We look forward to welcoming these soon-to-be lawyers into the profession and the Pittsburgh legal community! Thanks to Kellie Ware for her support with this event.

Law Student Kickoff to Summer Event

Casa San Jose at Dickie McCamey

Member Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote hosted elementary students who are part of the Casa San Jose (a resource center that connects, supports, and advocates for the Latino Community)’s program on July 15. Some highlights from the day included a candy debate (Skittles won), a DMC office tour, CSJ branded cookies from Oakmont Bakery Inc., and a reading of "Black Lawyers of the Burg," followed by a coloring exercise where the kids drew themselves as a lawyer or a judge. Thanks to Barb Strnad, Devon Ferris, Ryan Naumann, Seth Merryman, Dylan Sloat, and Bailey Glasscock for participating!

Casa San Jose at Leech Tishman

Member Leech Tishman hosted the teens attending Casa San Jose on July 31. Thanks to Mala Mason, Rebeca Himena Miller, and Jessica Ames for their help in planning - and to Ryan Naumann and Mollie Rosenzweig for joining! Highlights from the day included a candy debate (Starburst won), a tour of the Pittsburgh office, a panel on law firm careers, an “About Me” activity, and assembling “Back to School” bags.

Boys and Girls Club Summer Programming

This summer PLDIC volunteers visited three BGC clubhouses – Downtown, Shadyside, and McKeesport – to meet with the teens and do fun interactive exercises – like mock opening arguments - and discuss legal career journeys. Special thanks to Devon Ferris, Sarra Terry and the Dickie McCamey summer associates for volunteering!

Celebrating Pride with the ACBA

June

The PLDIC attended the LGBTQ+ Rights Committee's PRIDE pre-parade brunch on June 1, followed by marching in the parade with the Allegheny County Bar Association! Members also attended the Pittsburgh Pirates Pride Night game on June 5.

Keeping It R.E.A.L.: Elevating Leaders Through Resilience, Excellence, Agility, and Leadership

Hosted by The Advanced Leadership Institute

October 1-2

Pittsburgh, PA

Challenging the Erasure of Disability