Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together | |
Law Student Kickoff to Summer Event
June 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Aslin Beer Company
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Calling all law students working in Pittsburgh this summer! Join the PLDIC for a kickoff to summer event for law students on Wednesday, June 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Aslin Beer Company.
Reasons to put this on your calendar now:
- Build your network of colleagues from diverse backgrounds
- Meet fellow Pittsburgh area summer law clerks, and PLDIC leadership (including the Young Professional Advisory Board).
- Sign up for a mentor if you don't already have one.
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How to be Invaluable to Your Clients as a Junior Associate: the Unwritten Rules to Succeed
June 24 from 4-5:30 p.m., Meyer Unkovic & Scott
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The PLDIC’s Corporate Roundtable will host a panel event targeted toward lawyers with five or less years of experience, particularity those working in law firms. Panelists will share the client’s perspective on what junior associates in law firms can do to make themselves invaluable both to their firms and their clients. Often these tips and strategies are not written down and are only learned through experience or mentorship. Panelists will share these “unwritten rules” in a candid discussion, with plenty of time for audience Q&A and networking at the end.
Confirmed Panelists:
- Bridgette Dziedzic, Sr. Manager of Legal Services, Duquesne Light Company
- Shanicka Kennedy, Lead Counsel, Litigation, FedEx
- Rick McMahon, Managing Director, Associate General Counsel, BNY
- Cristian Minor, Senior Associate Counsel, UPNC
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David Ross, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Enterprise Compliance, Giant Eagle, Inc.
- Catrina Smith, Associate Counsel, Alcoa
- Tony Thompson, Counsel, Dollar Bank/PLDIC Board Vice Chair
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Pittsburgh Legal Career Symposium for Lateral Lawyers
July 17 from 12-1:30 p.m., Virtual
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Lawyers contemplating a career move are invited to learn more about working in the Pittsburgh legal market at our Pittsburgh Legal Career Symposium for Lateral Lawyers. Attendees will:
- Meet lawyers and legal professionals from law firms; corporate legal departments, and nonprofits in the Greater Pittsburgh area
- Hear a panel discussion from lawyers who lateraled into Pittsburgh and law firm partners and GCs about what they look for in lateral hires
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Get their resume directly into the hands of Pittsburgh area legal employers (please upload your resume at this link by 7/13). Registrants will receive the Zoom link closer to event.
Confirmed participating organizations include:
- Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender
- Babst Calland
- City of Pittsburgh Law Department
- Fox Rothschild
- Justice at Work
- Marshall Dennehey
- Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP
- Neighborhood Legal Services
- +more to come!
Panel participants will include:
- Monica Loudon, Dentons
- Kara Morse, Highmark
- Darby Karput, Troutman Pepper
| | PLDIC members and guests are invited to join the ACBA's LGBTQ+ Rights Committee to celebrate Pride in Pittsburgh at the following upcoming events: | |
June 7, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Downtown
PLDIC members and guests are invited to join the ACBA at the LGBTQ+ Rights Committee and march in the Pittsburgh Pride Parade. By participating, you are showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and highlighting the Pittsburgh Legal Community’s commitment to equality, inclusion and justice. Represent the legal community in one of Pittsburgh’s most vibrant and meaningful annual celebrations. Following the parade, participants are invited to join the committee for a casual fellowship gathering to continue the celebration and connect with fellow ACBA members and supporters. Additional details about the meeting location and post-parade gathering will be shared with all registered participants in advance of the event.There is no cost to participate, but registration is encouraged to help coordinate the ACBA group’s involvement. For more info, contact Chance Wideman.
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June 11, 6:30-9:30 p.m., PNC Park
All PLDIC members and their guests are invited to join the ACBA’s LGBTQ+ Rights Committee in celebrating Pride Month by attending Pride Night at PNC Park as the Pirates take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pride Night celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community within the Pirates fan base, the Pittsburgh community, and all of Major League Baseball. This annual event is a great opportunity to gather with colleagues, friends and allies for a night of baseball, community and celebration. The ACBA group will be seated in the Pirates Cove All-You-Can-Eat section, which includes unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and soft drinks throughout the game. Learn more about the seating here. In addition to the game, fans can stay after the final out for a spectacular Zambelli Fireworks display, making it a perfect summer evening at the ballpark. Tickets are $55 per person and includes access to the all-you-can-eat seating section.
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PLDIC Family Picnic
August 30 from 12-3 p.m., Mellon Park Shelter
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Please join us for the Community Building Committee’s annual PLDIC Family Picnic on Sunday, August 30 from 12-3 p.m. We will provide the main dishes, water, and soft drinks. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share (optional). You are also welcome to BYOB! Our picnic will be at the Mellon Park Shelter, which includes a playground and spray park. The Shelter has a parking lot or guests can alternatively park at Bakery Square and walk through Mellon Park to the shelter. Feel free to bring family and friends!
This event is open to members and nonmembers and their guests, including law students. If you haven’t been to a PLDIC event before, the picnic a great, casual opportunity to meet new friends and colleagues in the Pittsburgh legal community (or if you have, come and catch up before the summer officially ends)!
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Please join the PLDIC in welcoming our newest member organization, Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP.
Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia serving clients nationwide. Since its formation in 1987, they have measured their success not only by the results they achieve for their clients, but also by fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and experiences. From the boardroom to the courtroom, its attorneys bring diverse perspectives, industry knowledge, and legal experience to develop strategic solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
| "Strong organizations and strong communities are built through collaboration, opportunity, and a broad range of perspectives. We are proud to join the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition and stand alongside other organizations committed to expanding opportunities and strengthening the future of the profession and the business community alike.” –William Pietragallo, II, Managing Partner | Applications Open June 1 for the Young Professionals Advisory Board | |
The Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) seeks emerging attorney leaders to apply for the Young Professionals Advisory Board (YPAB). Applications will open on June 1, 2026, and must be submitted by July 15, 2026. Qualified applicants should be attorneys who have been practicing for 10 years or less, are employees of a PLDIC member organization, and have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
YPAB Member Responsibilities
YPAB Members will serve a three (3) year term and will attend board meetings every other month. The main responsibilities of the YPAB are to provide advice and suggestions to PLDIC committees and working groups on issues of particular interest to new attorneys to help inform the development of programming and resources.
How to Apply
Applications will open on June 1, 2026 at this link. Applicants will need to provide a statement of interest as well as a letter of recommendation. Additionally, the applicant’s PLDIC member employer will need to affirm their support of their candidacy with a short letter or email. Applicants will be informed of their selection by mid-August 2026 and will be expected to attend YPAB meetings starting in September 2026. Please contact Ena Lebel, PLDIC Executive Director, with any questions.
| Join our Upcoming Book Club! | |
This summer, join legal professionals from across the country for The Next Chapter for Equality—a flexible, national reading experience designed to spark meaningful conversation and practical insights.
Together, we’ll explore How Equality Wins by Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow and connect across organizations, cities, and career stages to reflect on the future of the legal profession.
Program Dates: June–September
Kickoff Session: June 22
Facilitated Sessions: July 20 & August 17
Format: Virtual (Zoom + Fable app)
Choose your level of participation—read at your own pace, join discussions, or engage more deeply through live sessions and national conversations.
Stay tuned for registration details and get ready to be part of a thoughtful, forward-looking community experience.
| | Looking for a new job in the Pittsburgh legal community? Sign up for job alerts so you get notified when the type of job that you're looking for in the Pittsburgh legal community becomes available. 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. | | Legal Career Pathways Program Events | | JFCS Pittsburgh, April 28 | | |
The PLDIC partnered with a new organization, JFCS Pittsburgh 412 Futures Youth Program, a program for immigrant and refugee high school students that helps to explore career paths, build new skills, and take next steps to the futures they want. Thanks to Sarra Terry, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; Jesse Exilus, City of Pittsburgh; and Ramona Brody and Tess Barancik, Neighborhood Legal Services, for volunteering.
| | Boys and Girls Club, April 28, May 5, May 6, May 12 | | The PLDIC spent May partnering with several youth-facing organizations to deliver our Legal Career Pathways Program, which includes several visits to Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania locations. Through interactive exercises, career captures, and fun fact patterns, PLDIC volunteers encourage Pittsburgh area youth to consider pursuing a legal career. On May 5 and May 12, we visited the McKeesport Teen Center with help from Gabrielle Lee, Federal Public Defenders office; Jessyca Philippe McCarl, Pittsburgh Family Law Services, LLC; and Melissa Lewis, MCL Family Law Firm, LLC. Additionally, we spent time at the Downtown Teen Center on April 28 and May 6 with support from DeMarr Moulton, DeMarr Moulton Law Office, PLLC; Sarra Terry, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; and Caroline Benec, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. Caroline created a new fact pattern called "The Prank," which the teens loved! | | OTHER EVENTS, NEWS & RESOURCES | | |
May 30 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation Suite
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Monday, July 20 at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 p.m.
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May 27 from 4-5:30 p.m., Live Webinar
Featuring PLDIC member Carrie Xu, K&L Gates, as a panelist!
| | Juneteen Celebration
June 13, all day at Les Getz Memorial Park, Swissvale
PLDIC members are invited to come enjoy this celebration! | | | | |
