The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
April 30, 2024
Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
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PLDIC Launches New Member Dashboard
Check out the user-friendly format for members to access resources
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The new and improved PLDIC member dashboard has been launched and is live on our website for all member employees to access. This section of our website was previously called the “Members Only page” as a locked member exclusive space to house valuable resources. The new dashboard is a more user-friendly tool for all PLDIC member employees to search for and access resources from programs, events, and more. Watch a short video explaining the new and improved PLDIC Member Dashboard, including what’s new and how to use the updated features.
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ISO: The Next PLDIC TALI Scholars
Applications Now Open for 2024-2025 Programs
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Scholarship recipients must be admitted to either TALI program and be employed by a PLDIC member organization. Interested PLDIC applicants should indicate their interest in the scholarship on the TALI application. Recipients will be notified after being accepted into a TALI program.
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PLDIC Mentor Training Program
A three-part session presented by the PLDIC Retention Committee
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May 14, May 21, and June 4 from 12-1:30 p.m. at McGuireWoods |
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Mentors and mentees at all experience levels are invited to join the PLDIC’s Retention Committee for a three-part, interactive learning and training program on mentoring. Led by Professor Audrey Murrell of Pitt Business, attendees will learn through active participation how to improve retention and advancement of historically underrepresented employees in our region. The sessions will also include information from Professor Murrell’s research on mentoring and mentorship programs. The workshops will take place at PLDIC Member McGuireWoods’ offices on Tuesdays: May 14, May 21, and June 4 from 12-1:30 p.m. CLE credit is pending, and lunch will be served at each session. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to attend all three sessions as they will build upon each other.
Workshop 1: Understanding the Impact of Mentoring for Personal and Professional Development (May 14)
This initial, interactive session will set the tone for the three-part program, providing important information about the critical areas of mentoring, what drives effectiveness in mentoring relationships and the importance of mentoring for professional development and to support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the organizations. It will provide mentors and mentees with a thorough understanding of the need for effective mentoring and current existing research on its impact.
Workshop 2: The Power of Peer-to-Peer Mentors and Networks for Personal and Professional Development (May 21)
The second session in our three-part mentoring series will provide a deep-dive on the importance of peer-to-peer mentorship and networking. The workshop will include interactive exercises to engage participants in better understanding the importance of mentoring for their own career and personal development. In particular, participants will learn some of the competencies that different mentoring relationships help to enhance that are important for individual and leadership effectiveness. The concept of “identity work” will be discussed and how it is supported by diverse peer or “lateral” mentoring relationships. Participants will be asked to create a personalized mentoring plan to enhance their current mentoring network based on our discussion.
Workshop 3: The Importance of Mentoring for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a Key Driver for Organizational Effectiveness (June 4)
The last part in our three-part mentoring series will provide a deep-dive on the importance of mentoring for DEI as a key driver for organizational effectiveness. This hands-on session will actively engage participants to better understand the importance of mentoring for overall organizational effectiveness. In particular, this workshop will touch on intergenerational mentoring issues, working with a mentor/mentee from a different demographic, and how to find common ground in mentoring relationships. Additionally, a panel of PLDIC member organizations (including Buchanan Ingersoll, Meyer Unkovic & Scott, and K&L Gates) will provide insight into their formal mentoring programs – what works, what doesn’t work, and how other organizations can create successful mentoring programs.
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You Don't Look Like a Lawyer: Black Women and Systemic Gendered Racism
May 20 from 12-2 p.m. at Reed Smith
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This event will focus on the findings of Dr. Melaku’s book, You Don’t Look Like a Lawyer: Black Women and Systemic Gendered Racism. Dr. Melaku will begin by contextualizing the current discourse on Black professionals in organizations, as well as her initial inquiry which drove the research, “why are there still so few Black women in leadership positions?” She will demonstrate the intersectional approach to the research by highlighting the theoretical concepts developed (the invisible labor clause and the inclusion tax) and how that speaks to the experiences of marginalized groups and subsequent attrition rates. Dr. Melaku will address specific findings that speak to the experiences of women and racially subordinated groups through the narrative experiences of Black women. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of Dr. Melaku and will leave empowered with tools on how to successfully navigate their workplaces.
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Diverse Law Student Kickoff to Summer Event
May 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Standard Market & Pint
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Join the PLDIC and co-sponsor ACBA’s YLD Diversity Committee for a kickoff to summer event for diverse law students on Thursday, May 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Standard Market & Pint. All law students working in the Pittsburgh area this summer who identify as diverse are invited to attend and meet fellow Pittsburgh area summer law clerks, PLDIC leadership (including the Young Professional Advisory Board), and YLD Leadership. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for a mentor and/or a mock interview.
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2024 PLDIC Family Picnic
August 25 from 12-3 p.m. at Forbes & Braddock Shelter
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Please save the date for the Community Building Committee's annual PLDIC Family Picnic on Sunday, August 25 from 12-3 p.m. at the Forbes & Braddock shelter. More details coming soon.
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More than 65 attendees representing 26 PLDIC member organizations attended our Spring Members Meeting on April 24 at the beautiful green backdrop of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The event featured keynote speaker Kori Carew, who spoke to our membership about courageous leadership. In addition to hearing from Kori, attendees networked, enjoyed food and drink, and heard PLDIC updates including new member resources and upcoming events and ways to get involved.
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The PLDIC's Community Building Committee hosted the second annual Trivia Night on Thursday, April 18, at member organization Dollar Bank. 42 guests representing 18 PLDIC member organizations showed up to meet others and have a great time! Thanks to all who attended. Special thank you to Dollar Bank for hosting; and to PLDIC Board member Aarthi Murty and her husband for running the trivia. Congratulations to the winning team, Public Interest Attorneys Do It for Free! |
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Legal Career Pathways Program: April Events |
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This month, the PLDIC continued its Legal Career Pathways programming, exposing more Pittsburgh youth to the legal profession. The latest Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania session took place on April 17 at the downtown location with participation from Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor, Chief Public Defender Lena Bryan-Henderson, Ken Haber, Difenderer, Rothman, Haber & Mancuso; Sidnee McDonald, MPA, Esq., Cozen O'Connor/YPAB board member; and Michael Evans. A few days later, we visited Casa San Jose (a resource center that connects, supports, and advocates for the Latino Community) with help from Cristian Minor, UPMC/Casas San Jose board member; Rebeca Himena Miller, Leech Tishman; Devon Ferris, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; Alexander Madrid, McGuireWoods; Kate Fox, McGuireWoods; and Judge Henry-Taylor. We look forward to continuing to grow and expand this program! If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to Ena Lebel.
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This month's PLDIC picks are podcast collaborations from PLDIC presenters: Paula Edgar and Ritu Bhasin, "Embrace Who You Really Are & Unlock a True Sense of Belonging," and Paula Edgar and Kori Carew, "Inclusive Leadership Challenges that Organizations Must Overcome." |
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May 9 from 9:30-11 a.m., Reed Smith
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May 9 from 3-4:30 p.m., Virtual
*This event is aimed toward students
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Hosted by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts |
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May 3 from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP
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May 10 from 12:45-5:30 p.m., Virtual or In-Person, NYC
Hosted by the Practising Law Institute and featuring PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel as a speaker
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Leaders who work in or care about diversity, equity, and inclusion, please take a few minutes to read the latest worthwhile article from Lily Zheng, who the PLDIC was fortunate to host last fall.
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The PLDIC can help you achieve tip #4 on this list!
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Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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