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The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
October 25, 2023

Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
PLDIC NEWS
PLDIC Relaunches New Legal Career Pathways Program with Boys & GIrls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
The PLDIC, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, is piloting a new version of the Legal Career Pathways Program. This fall, PLDIC members will host a series of presentations for teens at the Boys and Girls Club Shadyside location. These interactive sessions will provide the teens an opportunity to learn from our diverse legal community about pathways to the legal profession. Learn more about the program's history.
Reminder: the PLDIC Members Only Page is Open to Students, too!
At a recent Tuesday Table Talk at Duquesne Kline, the PLDIC ran into two PLDIC scholars: 2023-2024 Susan Yohe Scholar Eva Morgan, and PLDIC/TALI Emerging Leaders Program Scholar (and Young Professional Advisory Board Member) Derrick Maultsby Jr. All students, faculty, and employees of our member universities (including Duquesne Kline, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Seton Hill University) can access and attend PLDIC resources and events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2023 Annual PLDIC Members Meeting
November 15 from 5-7 p.m. at K&L Gates
Leadership, employees, and law students of our member organizations are invited to join the PLDIC for its largest member gathering of the year on November 15 from 5-7 p.m. at K&L Gates Center. Member organizations will hear from Executive Director Ena Lebel about the PLDIC’s 2023 accomplishments and 2024 goals and objectives, vote on member business and learn about the state of the Coalition from Board Chair Eric Cottle, and hear updates from the Young Professional Advisory Board and our three committees. The second annual “PLDIC Volunteer of the Year” award will also be presented. New this year – hear directly from a few of our members about the impact PLDIC membership has had on their organizations. After the meeting, join your fellow PLDIC members for a networking reception. Haven't been to a members meeting? Take a look at some of our past meetings. Please register by Friday, November 10.
2023 Members Holiday Party
December 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Puttery Pittsburgh
All employees and law students of PLDIC member organizations are invited to our Members Holiday Party, December 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Puttery Pittsburgh. Save the date by registering now!
Upcoming Brave Space/Self-Care Series Sessions
Return to Work Policies and the Disparate Impact on Historically Underrepresented Legal Professionals
November 15 from 12-1 p.m. at Eckert Seamans
Many of our firms and organizations have recently implemented stricter policies about employees working in the office. From four days in the office mandates, to officegoers being rewarded with better assignments, to attendance being tied to bonuses, employers are eager to see attorneys and staff in the office. But research has shown that return to office mandates are having a disparate impact on people of color, people with disabilities, and working parents, among others. Please join us for a facilitated conversation about these issues and how they are impacting us as individuals and members of the Pittsburgh legal community.
Yoga with Jacquelin Walker
December 13 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Eckert Seamans
Hatha yoga based experience will be presented as a toolkit for practitioners at all levels of yoga experience. Through the exploration of movement, breathing techniques, and other meditative practices, Walker will guide participants through this experience and offer tools for supporting our mind/body connection. Participants are encouraged to refrain from eating lunch until after the (45m) session, when we will break bread together as a part of our experience. Come prepared with a mat, blanket or beach towel and bring any props you may need for a comfortable movement or sitting practice. Water and chairs for those seeking a chair based practice will be provided.
PLDIC Movie Club Meeting
November 2 from 4:15-6:45 p.m. at Neighborhood Legal Services
The PLDIC Movie Club’s next viewing/meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2, from 4:15-6:45 p.m. at Neighborhood Legal Services Association. This month's movie is Get Out.

Snacks and beverages will be available for the attendees. Attendees may attend any or all parts of the meeting. Please RSVP by Monday, October 30, to Dan Hargreaves.
Professionalism in the 21st Century
November 30 from 1:30-3 p.m.
In house counsel, please save the date for a free CLE hosted by PLDIC, PBA’s In-House Counsel Committee, and the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Western PA Chapter on Thursday, November 30 from 1:30-3 p.m. During this virtual, interactive CLE, in-house counsel attorneys will have the opportunity to preview the PA CLE Board’s latest offering on implicit bias. More details and registration information to come soon.
RECENT EVENTS
DEI Deconstructed: How We Recruit, Resource, and Retain Top Talent with Lily Zheng
Approximately 50 people (including representation from 19 member organizations) attended our webinar on October 19 with DEI strategist and author Lily Zheng. Lily shared the best practices and insightful advice that have helped many organizations make the next step in their journeys toward more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. They also provided foundational knowledge about DEI work, insights tailored to leaders and change-makers, and guidance on how we can all make changes that stick in our own organizations.
PLDIC PICK
Release date: November 14, 2023

The next step in your DEI journey starts here. Building on the knowledge base of DEI Deconstructed, Lily Zheng offers a workbook with 40 original exercises, worksheets, and other tools to help guide you and your organization toward more substantive and lasting DEI outcomes.
PLDIC POLL
Are you interested in joining a PLDIC Members LinkedIn group to share resources/ask questions?
Yes
No
MEMBER DEI CORNER
Opportunities
Corporate members, take a look at this article:
Moving the Needle on Outside Counsel Team Diversity, and then take advantage of the PLDIC resources available to you on our Members Only page, including our Corporate Members Handbook - a resource to assist PLDIC in-house legal department members with collecting DEI metrics, relationship building programs, improving visibility of diverse lawyers at small and mid-sized firms, recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse in-house attorneys, and additional resources.

Nonprofit Right to Be is offering two upcoming training sessions to help disrupt hate amidst violence impacting Israelis and Palestinians. Learn how to be a better ally during this time to Jewish and Muslim colleagues.
OTHER RESOURCES