Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together

UPCOMING EVENTS

Know Your Rights as a Disabled Attorney

Friday, May 9 from 12-1 p.m., Virtual

The PLDIC Community Building Committee invites disabled lawyers, law students, allies, and anyone wishing to learn more about disability law to the second session in the Disabled Attorney Brave Space/Self-Care series. We are excited to welcome Amy Mathieu, an experienced employment law attorney and partner at HKM Employment Attorneys, and Sarina Miller, HR Director at Babst Calland, for an expert-led discussion of your rights under the ADA and FMLA. We will focus on eligibility, job protections, documentation requirements, and how to collaborate with your employer to establish reasonable accommodations. We will also have plenty of time for Q&A.

Last Call to Participate in our New Program, "So Now What?"

Program Launches on May 1!

Let’s face it – we’re all busy, and it’s easy to lose track of your great ideas for improving diversity, inclusion and belonging in Pittsburgh’s legal industry. The PLDIC is here to help! Whether you already have a new project in mind, have an existing project that could use a tune-up, or want to figure out an impactful way to apply your PLDIC experience and knowledge – we’re gathering a community of your PLDIC peers to help you get there.

We are bringing together some of the most dedicated and motivated PLDIC participants to establish small groups focused on moving the needle forward on a specific topic. Let’s say you’ve been trying to start a mentoring program at your firm, while your PLDIC friend has been trying to refine the current mentoring program in their legal department, and another PLDIC regular is trying to assess the value of their current peer mentoring program. Well, the “So Now What?” Program will bring you all together – a cohort of similarly focused peers – to give you the support you need to move your ideas into action.

The small groups will meet regularly to help each teammate develop a tangible action plan and hold their peers accountable. The “So Now What?” Program facilitators will provide structure, resources, and opportunities for cross-team collaboration. The entire program is five months long and is outcome-focused. Oh, and there will definitely be a leaderboard to track which team is making the most progress!

The PLDIC’s Committee Chairs invite our community to drop in for conversation and camaraderie in a casual, pay-as-you-go setting. We will be holding space for these “Community Conversations” the first Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Fogo de Chao and continuing the first Thursday each month (same time, same location). Stop by if you need a space to just be and where we can provide each other support, take some deep breaths, and share our worries and fears in a safe place. Reach out to Ena with any questions.

The PLDIC will host author, academic, speaker, and consultant Siri Chilazi virtually on Monday, June 2 from 12-1 p.m. Chilazi is a senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and an internationally recognized expert in advancing women and promoting gender equity in organizations. Her new book of the same name, “Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design,” co-written with Iris Bohnet, reveals 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.” Registrants will automatically be entered into a lottery to receive a free copy of Make Work Fair. You will be notified after registering if you are selected.

Pride Month is right around the corner, and PLDIC members are invited to join the ACBA LGBTQ+ Rights Committee at Pride Night at the Ball Park – Enjoy camaraderie with colleagues, law students, friends and family while cheering on the Pirates as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. These tickets are for the all-you-can-eat section, so come hungry.

PLDIC Scholar Graduates from TALI Emerging Leader Program

Congratulations to PLDIC scholar Jesse Exilus, City of Pittsburgh Law Department, for graduating from The Advanced Leadership Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program on Friday, April 11!

Looking for a new job in the Pittsburgh legal community? Don't forget to 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.

Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney

Allegheny County District Attorney's Office Pennsylvania

Senior Trial Attorney – 8+ Yrs Experience – Erie, PA

Marshall Dennehey

Defender Attorney

Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender

Staff Attorney – Office of the General Counsel

Seton Hill University

PLDIC Spring Members Meeting

April 9 at the HERL

"Prasanna's keynote was exceptional, inspiring, and insightful."

"One of the best yet!"

"I really enjoyed connecting with the folks at HERL and learning what other organizations are doing in Pittsburgh. All our locations have been great, but this one felt uniquely connected to both Pittsburgh and the coalition's mission."

"Last night was amazing, inspiring, and so very enjoyable. I just wanted to let you know! The work that is being done at the HERL is beyond impressive. I had no idea this existed in Pittsburgh."

The PLDIC held its Spring Members Meeting on April 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories – Bakery Square. Approximately 40 attendees representing 25 PLDIC member organizations networked over cocktails and appetizers, heard from PLDIC leadership, and listened to keynote speaker Prasanna Ranganathan as he joined us virtually to deliver his talk: I Am Not the Problem: Understanding Disability and Re-Imagining Accessibility and Accommodations in the Workplace and the World. Ranganathan is a documentary producer, human rights lawyer, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging (DEIAB) consultant/advisor, speaker, author, correspondent, writer and arts columnist. Attendees also had the unique opportunity to tour the HERL and learn about some of the amazing advances in assistive technology happening right here in Pittsburgh!

Members can access the resource guide prepared especially for the PLDIC by Prasanna, "All About Accessibility and Disability Inclusion," on our Member Dashboard

Trivia Night

March 27 at K&L Gates

The PLDIC’s Community Building Commitee hosted the third annual Trivia Night on Thursday, March 27. Over 35 attendees representing nine PLDIC member organizations formed seven teams who competed to be this year’s trivia champions while enjoying laughs, great company, and food and drink. Thank you to member Giant Eagle for sponsoring this event, to K&L Gates for hosting, and to PLDIC Board member Aarthi Murty and her husband for once again running the trivia. Last but not least, congratulations to this year’s winning team – Malicious Compliance!

Legal Career Pathways Program

BCG McKeesport on April 1

The PLDIC visited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania' McKeesport location on Tuesday, April 1 for another great session with students who attend their afterschool program for teens. Attorneys lead interactive sessions including debate exercises, mock opening statements, and career captures. Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers Devon Ferris & Ryan Naumann, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; Kate Fox, McGuireWoods; and Anthony Williams, Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby. 

The PLDIC visited Casa San Jose on Saturday, April 5. This interactive session with teens who attend CSJ's youth programs included debate exercises, mock opening statements, and career captures. Thanks to our volunteers who helped make the day a success: Devon Ferris and Ryan Naumann, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; Rebeca Himena Miller, Leech Tishman, Anthony Williams, Dentons Cohen & Grigsby; Mollie Rosenzweig, Edgar Snyder; Jessyca Philippe McCarl, Pittsburgh Family Law Service; and Gabrielle Lee, Federal Public Defender's Office!

Volunteer with the PLDIC at the Boys and Girls Club! This summer, the BGC teens will be working with the Urban Land Institute on an urban planning project. PLDIC volunteers will have time to discuss their legal career journeys and then will help the students with their urban planning lesson for that day. The legal industry is a critical component of urban planning, and the youth will benefit from your perspectives whether you have an urban planning background or not. BGC will provide volunteers with everything needed to make the lesson successful. You just need to show up! Sign up for a timeslot to meet with the teens during the week of July 7-July 10. You can sign up with a friend or colleague or attend on your own. Slots are available at three BGC clubhouses (Downtown, Shadyside, and McKeesport). Volunteer clearances are necessary if you have visited the BGC in the past year. Contact Ena if the time that you'd like to sign up for is full or with any questions.

PFA CLE Seminar: Helping Domestic Violence Victims Obtain Protection Orders

May 2 from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Help domestic violence victims obtain Protection from Abuse orders! Join Neighborhood Legal Services, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, and the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh for this informative event. This CLE will train attorneys to assist domestic violence victims in obtaining protection from abuse orders in Allegheny County. This seminar has been approved for 3 substantive CLE credits and 1 ethics CLE credit, and includes breakfast.

Spring Into Action Benefit

May 5 from 5:30-7 p.m., University Club, Pittsburgh

Join Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts as they honor Jeff Wiley with the Judge Justin Johnson Award and hear from keynote speaker University of Pittsburgh Law School Dean Jerry Dickinson. They will also present an award to the winner of the 2025 Law Student Writing Competition sponsored by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

Understanding the Impact: Executive Orders and Workplace Inclusion

May 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Alloy 26 at NovaPlace

Legal experts will break down the key changes, what they mean for organizations, and strategies for navigating this evolving landscape.

Impact of the New Administration on the DEI Landscape and the EEOC’s Current Enforcement Priorities

May 13 at 12-1 p.m., Koppers Building lower lvel

This CLE will explore the changes surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under the Trump Administration. The panel will analyze Executive Orders 14148, 14151, 14168, 14173, and 14188, and their implications, and the recent EEOC/DOJ employer guidance regarding DEI. In addition, the panel will discuss current EEOC enforcement priorities. Lunch will be provided.

The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law is pleased to solicit applications for the Diversity Leadership Program - Deadline to Apply is Today!

Paula Edgar's Podcast (Branding Room): From Acronyms to Action: Leading and Thriving Through DEI Challenges with Michelle Silverthorn

To Make Your DEI Efforts More Effective, Challenge Outdated Models