PLDIC member firms & organizations: did you forget to submit the the 2022 Member Survey? Good news - there's still time to submit! You can access the survey on our Members Only page through the end of the month. Please collect data as of December 31, 2022. Thank you for your participation — it is essential to understanding the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community! Survey results will also be presented at our 2023 Spring Members Meeting. Thank you to all the firms and organizations who have already submitted their data. Email Ena with any questions.

Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is a family of four dynamic, distinctive museums: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. The museums reach up to 1.5 million people annually through exhibitions, educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.

— Steven Knapp

President, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Batzel Law PLLC works hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs and emerging companies, providing top corporate, securities and business legal advice to help them achieve their goals whether incorporating, restructuring, bringing on investors, navigating operational issues, or entering into the purchase or sale of a business. Founder and Managing Attorney Heather Batzel has worked with organizations at all developmental stages and of all sizes for nearly 20 years, and for 10 years has focused on providing new and growing companies, and their founders and executives, with legal counsel throughout the full life cycle of their companies through Batzel Law PLLC, founded in 2013. Heather has negotiated deals world-wide, with prior posts at the World Bank, Baker & McKenzie LLP, Andrews Kurth LLP and as General Counsel at an early stage company working in international environmental markets and sustainable development based in Washington, DC. Integral to the firm’s work is Senior Associate Tricia Su, whose prior work experience includes serving as a Senior Attorney at the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, Corporate Associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, and Tax Consultant at Arthur Andersen, among other posts. The firm is headquartered in Washington, DC, and its attorneys are licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia.

— Heather Batzel, Esq.,

Managing Attorney, Batzel Law PLLC

The PLDIC Recruitment Committee will present “It’s Not Me, It’s You” – a panel presentation on what diverse candidates really think about the Pittsburgh legal market. Participants will hear from the following panel of seasoned recruiters: Aubrey Jones, Max Gelernter, 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 wh)en 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.

The Great Resignation is shaking up the labor market. While millions of workers worldwide quit their jobs, companies struggle to attract, develop and retain diverse talent. VOKLY helps small-to-midsize organizations enable meritocracy using what they call the 'DEI Progression Model.' In this in-person event, Founders Britney Clark and Saren Stiegel show attendees how to use the DEI Progression Model to expand their talent pipeline, redesign performance management, and analyze valued opportunities. The time is now to prepare your business and the people in it to thrive. This workshop will provide attendees with actionable DEI tools that you can take back to the office with you to implement.

PLDIC members are invited to attend the 3rd Pittsburgh Opera New Guard LGBTQ+/Ally Night (Pride Night) on Saturday, March 25 – for the premiere of Il Trovatore at the Benedum Center (with a happy hour starting at 7 p.m. in the Circles Lounge, the Opera at 8 p.m., and intermission back in the Circles Lounge).

Purchase tickets (enter the promo discount code EQUALITY to give you 25% off the price of any seat in the house!) – with 5% of the proceeds going toward a local LGBTQ+ non-profit. 

If you’re planning on attending, please email Michael Komo; the first ten (10) PLDIC members to RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket!

Register now for the PLDIC's Spring Members Meeting on April 19 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art's Hall of Architecture. More info coming soon. Check the event page for the latest updates and register now to save the date.

Know a current or incoming student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University that demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession? Please encourage them to apply for the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship!

The PLDIC created the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University to honor Susan Yohe’s lifetime of service to championing and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community. Our scholars are truly ambassadors for the PLDIC and help to represent and further the Coalition's mission.

Current and incoming Duquesne Kline School of Law students should reach out to Assistant Dean of Admissions Maureen Stokan for more information about how to apply.

Current and incoming University of Pittsburgh School of Law students should reach out to Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Charmaine McCall for more information about how to apply.

The PLDIC hosted a panel about the importance of mentoring and networking at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University on February 15. Thanks to everyone who attended, and to our panelists! Learn more about the PLDIC's 2L/3L Mentoring Program.

ACBA members are invited to celebrate Black History Month with the ACBA Homer S. Brown Division (HSBD). The event commemorates the founding of Black History Month. During this event, the HSBD Spirit Award will be presented to Jerrel Gilliam, Executive Director of the Light of Life Rescue Mission. The Spirit Award is presented to an individual or organization who has exhibited leadership qualities, as well as a commitment to the promotion of equality and the advancement of justice among the African-American community. Additionally, HSBD will present its Young Leader Award to Gabrielle Lee. The Young Leader Award is given to a HSBD member under the age of 40 who has actively participated in HSBD and at least one other committee, division or section of the ACBA. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

If you’re still looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month, check out this activity calendar - 28 Days of Exploring Black History, Art, and Culture (interactive version).

Thanks to the University of Pittsburgh School of Law's Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence for sharing this resource with the PLDIC!

PLDIC members Dentons and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law recently partnered to establish the Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Diversity Fellowship Fund. The Fund — which will make available tuition support for a first-year law student from an underrepresented group, also provides recipients with a paid summer associate position at Dentons Cohen & Grigsby in the student’s first summer of law school with an opportunity to return. The Coalition is glad to promote such excellent opportunities for diverse legal students in Pittsburgh, and proud that ideas like these are stemming from our Law Firm Roundtable Collaboration program. Working together, we can generate positive change in our region. Learn more about the Fund: https://lnkd.in/g9dAsnMh and about how to participate in our Roundtable program: https://lnkd.in/gjE4fGQp

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?