The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
February 16, 2022
Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
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Bias Interrupted - Creating Inclusion for Real and for Good |
Register Now + PLDIC Members Get Exclusive Book Discount |
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The Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements have revealed the inadequacy of our efforts to date, in addressing racism and gender discrimination. “We have to change systems,” declares Joan C. Williams, Director of the Center for WorkLife Law and professor at the University of California, Hastings.
Williams will discuss her new book, Bias Interrupted, on February 28 at 1 p.m. In her book, she shares the results of a decade-long research program with nearly 18,000 people in different industries. Her research shows that mentoring and other programs only help people navigate systems that remain fundamentally unfair, while bias training, while well-meaning, is ineffective or even counterproductive. Williams’ highly pragmatic approach begins with measuring progress at four key points where bias is transmitted in organizations: hiring, performance reviews, compensation, and promotion (as well as access to opportunities like key assignments). Williams then introduces bias interrupters: evidence-based, metrics-driven tools that can, over time, produce big changes.
Coalition members will also receive 20% off the book with code “PLDIC” until March 11.
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Troutman Pepper Joins as PLDIC’s 43rd Member |
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Welcome, Troutman Pepper! |
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The Coalition is pleased to welcome its 43rd member organization: Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from start-ups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients’ most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including construction, energy, finance, health sciences, insurance, private equity, real estate, and technology, among others.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among Troutman Pepper’s core values. We are committed to not only advancing diversity and inclusion within our own firm, but also within the greater legal community. Accordingly, we are proud to partner with the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition, which is doing important work to accelerate progress, generate equitable outcomes, and ensure a culture that is inclusive and supportive for everyone.” — Tiffany F. Southerland, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Troutman Pepper
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Updated D&I Terms Glossary Now Available! |
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Thank You to All Who Attended the PLDIC's Diversity 2.0 Session |
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Over 75 individuals attended the Coalition's first event of 2022, Diversity Terms 2.0.
Following the session, the Coalition has updated its popular glossary, "Key Terms Used in the D&I Conversation," to include changes and additions that have occurred to the terminology over the past year. This guide is an ongoing work in progress, so please feel free to reach out to us if you notice anything else that needs changed. We encourage our members to use this glossary as a resource and share with their organizations.
The PLDIC would also like to extend a special thank you to Danielle Mundekis, Employee Relations and Inclusion Manager at Coalition member Eckert Seamans, for providing her expertise during this program and helping to update our terms glossary.
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Human Rights Campaign Releases 2022 Corporate Equality Index |
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11 Coalition Member Organizations Recognized |
Congratulations to 11 PLDIC member organizations recently recognized in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)'s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which measures corporate policies, practices and benefits that affect employees belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.
According the Pittsburgh Buisness Times, the 2022 Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality is made up of 842 businesses that earned a 100% rating per the CEI, which means that they took “concrete steps” throughout the past year to establish policies that ensure equity for LGBTQ+ workers and their families.
These Coalition members made the list: Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney, Highmark, Howmet Aerospace, K&L Gates, PNC, PPG, Reed Smith,, U.S. Steel, and UPMC Health Plan. Other members recognized in the CEI for receiving high ratings are Alcoa and Wabtec.
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Mark your Calendar for Two Upcoming Coalition Events |
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Q&A Webinar with Ruchika Tulshyan and PLDIC Spring Members Meeting |
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On March 24 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., we will host a webinar Q&A with author, keynote speaker, and inclusion strategist Ruchika Tulshyan.
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The PLDIC Spring Members Meeting will be held on April 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Senator John Heinz History Center. We look forward to gathering our 43 member organizations together in person for the first (of two) annual meetings of 2022. We encourage all members to send at least one representative from your organization to participate. More details coming soon!
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Are you interested in receiving a copy of the book "Inclusion on Purpose" by Ruchika Tulshyan?
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with PLDIC Board Chair Eric Cottle |
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Please take a moment to read our Black History Month interview with Coalition Chair and K&L Gates Partner Eric Cottle. He reveals his thoughts on Black History Month, his Black heroes, advice on how to make your workplaces more inclusive for African-American lawyers, and more.
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Black Author Book Recommendations |
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We asked, and you delivered! Thank you to everyone who submitted book recommendations on books written by Black authors. Happy reading! |
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Black History Month Events |
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"She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power" |
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The Senator John Heinz History Center, in association with the Smithsonian Institution African American Program, will host law professor Gloria J. Browne-Marshall for a free virtual lecture on Feb. 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. “She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power" will explore the Black woman’s miraculous journey from Africa to political power brokers in American politics. Learn about the famous, infamous, and forgotten women in history from 1619 to 1969.
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Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities |
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The American Bar Association will present noted educator, journalist, and scholar Andre Perry on February 24 from 1-2 p.m. Dr. Perry will take readers on a tour of six Black-majority cities whose assets and strengths are undervalued, beginning in his hometown of Wilkinsburg that is struggling and failing to attract new jobs and industry. Bringing his own personal story, Perry also spotlights five other Black-majority cities where he has deep connections: Detroit, Birmingham, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. He provides an intimate look at the assets that should be of greater value to residents—and that can be if they demand it.
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HSBD Black History Month Celebration |
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Allegheny County Bar Association members are invited to attend the 18th Homer S. Brown Division (HSBD) Black History Month Celebration on February 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Division will present its Spirit Award - which 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 – to Harold Hayes, the longtime KDKA-TV personality. Additionally, the Division will present its Young Leader Award to ACBA member Morgan Bonekovic.
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National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Releases 2021 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms |
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Report Shows Record Jump in Associate Representation of Attorneys of Color |
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How Meditation Can Help You Reduce Unconscious Bias |
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Did you resolve to meditate more in 2022? Did you know that mediation can help you reduce your unconscious biases? In this podcast episode from Ten Percent Happier, host Dan Harris interviews Jessica Nordell, a science and culture journalist, about unconscious bias – why humans evolved to have biases; what happens physiologically when biases are challenged; why some of the most popular personal and institutional strategies for confronting biases do not work; the role mindfulness and loving kindness meditation can play in reducing bias; and the power of studying history. |
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Broaden Your Reach with Inclusive Language |
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February 24 from 12-2 p.m. |
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This ACBA Live Webinar CLE will offer communication tools to hire and retain more diverse talent that can attract and best advocate for a broader client base. It will cover the following content areas:
- Overview of basic concepts and terminology
- Introduction to gender neutral pronouns
- Inclusive communication: Practical considerations (what to ask, say and write)
- Best advocacy practices: Educating the court and other parties
- Allyship in the office: Beyond Title VII
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Mentoring, Training and Advancement of New and Junior Women Attorneys |
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PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel will be a panelist for this ACBA Live Webinar CLE. This program will provide a summary of the many obstacles women face in the development of their law firm careers. It also will explore concrete ways that law firms can maximize young women lawyers’ opportunities to build skills, professional demeanor and self confidence in the workplace and have the same successes in the firm as male attorneys. |
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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?
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Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Two Gateway Center, 603 Stanwix Street, 6th floor
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