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The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
November/December 2025
| | | Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together | |
A Year of Change: Where Diversity Efforts Stand Now and Where We Go From Here
January 26 from 1:30-1 p.m., Virtual
A MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE FREE CLE OPPORTUNITY
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The legal and organizational landscape surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is evolving rapidly. Landmark court decisions, shifting federal directives, and changing workplace expectations have created both challenges and opportunities. In this moment of transformation, many in the legal community have turned to NYU School of Law’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, led by Professor Kenji Yoshino and Professor David Glasgow, for trusted insight and leadership. Join us for a timely and energizing conversation with Professor Yoshino and David Glasgow as they share key ideas from their forthcoming book, How Equality Wins. Drawing from their legal expertise and extensive work with Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits, they will offer a fresh vision for advancing fairness in the workplace—one that is both legally sound and deeply inclusive. This is a PLDIC member-only event. This event is a joint collaboration between the following organizations:
- Boston Lawyers Group
- Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms
- Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
- Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
- Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice
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First Year Law Student Speed Networking Event
January 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Roost
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Our popular speed networking event is designed to provide first year law students interested in promoting diversity and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community with an opportunity to meet with PLDIC member organizations who have available 2026 and/or 2027 summer law clerk or internship positions for law students. Registration for this event is full; law students: please fill out this form to be added to the waitlist. Employers: please contact Ena to discuss participation.
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PLDIC Disabled Lawyers/Law Students Monthly Drop-In Sessions
Next Monthly Session on January 30 from 12-1 p.m.
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This monthly zoom drop in series is for attorneys and law students with disabilities and their allies. It's a no-pressure, safe space to convene, and you can attend as many or as little of them as you would like. You do not need to be part of a PLDIC member organization or to have attended a previous session to attend for any length of time. The drop-in sessions typically take place on the last Friday of the month from 12-1 p.m. and will continue through May. All meetings will take place via Zoom. No agenda; just time for community and conversation.
| | 2026 PLDIC Events Calendar | | 2026 PLDIC Membership Renewal | PLDIC leaders: 2026 membership renewal information (including a customized engagement snapshot for your organization) was sent out via email by Executive Director Ena Lebel this week. Please contact us if you didn't receive your renewal packet. |
PLDIC Elects Two New Board Members,
Re-elects One; New Committee Chair Also Named
| Pictured from left: Stuart Sostmann, Krista Staley, and Eric Cottle | At the PLDIC Annual Members Meeting on November 12, two individuals were elected and one was re-elected to the PLDIC Board of Directors, with terms to begin in January 2026. Congratulations to Eric Cottle, K&L Gates (third three-year term); Stuart Sostmann, Marshall Dennehey (first three-year term); and Krista Staley, PJ Dick (first three-year term). | |
Additionally, congratulations to incoming Retention Committee Chair Patrick Reilly, Marshall Dennehey (replacing Krista Staley as previous Chair - thank you to Krista for her leadership!).
| | PLDIC Elects New Board Officers to Begin Terms in 2026 | | Pictured clockwise from top left: Aarthi Murty, Tony Thompson, Dawn Beighey, and Peter Russ | | At the PLDIC Board meeting on December 3, the PLDIC Board elected new officers for a two-year term beginning in January. Aarthi Murty, Vice President, Associate General Counsel at Giant Eagle, will serve as Board Chair, replacing Eric Cottle, Partner, K&L Gates. Continuing for another two-year term in their roles are Vice Chair Tony Thompson, Counsel, Dollar Bank, Secretary Dawn Beighey, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Litigation, U.S. Steel; and Treasurer Peter Russ, Shareholder at the Pittsburgh Office of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney. Congratulations to these new Board leaders and thank you to Eric Cottle for his leadership and time spent serving as Board Chair. | PLDIC Presents Fourth Annual Volunteer of the Year Award to Barb Strnad | |
Without our volunteers, the PLDIC would not be able to move forward in accomplishing our mission. These dedicated individuals are the heart of the Coalition, spending countless hours of their time helping to make the Pittsburgh legal community an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. That's why we created our Volunteer of the Year award, presented each year to a member employee who went above and beyond in their volunteer efforts.
Congratulations to our 2025 recipient Barbara Strnad, shareholder at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. Barb's work this year in helping to plan our "So Now What?" program and in the Legal Career Pathways Programming has been invaluable.
Don't forget, if you're interested in volunteering please fill out this form and we will help you find the right way to make an impact.
| | New Resources: PLDIC Member Dashboard | | All PLDIC member organization employees and law students have access to our Member Dashboard which contains hundreds of event recordings, resources, and more. |
| Don't Forget to Take Advantage of the PLDIC Job Board! | |
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.
Interested in submitting new jobs to the PLDIC Job Board on behalf of your organization? PLDIC member organizations can submit a request to become a job board manager.
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PLDIC Members Holiday Party
December 11, Ace Axe Throwing in Homestead
| | More than 20 guests representing seven PLDIC member organizations enjoyed the Community Building Committee’s annual member holiday party, this year at Ace Axe Throwing in Homestead. Guests (both lawyers and nonlawyers) enjoyed hitting some bullseyes, networking with colleagues and students, holiday music, and delicious food and beverage. Photo credits: Corey McDonough, K&L Gates. |
Legal Career Pathways Program
Law and Legal Careers Interest Club Final Celebration
December 8, PPG Paints Arena
| | To celebrate the completion of the Law and Legal Interest Club, the seven students and their families, along with program volunteers and leadership, gathered at PPG Paints Arena on December 8. The students received complimentary headshot portraits from Life Camera Soul Photography (a Pittsburgh-based portrait studio specializing in empowering, legacy-focused imagery for individuals, organizations, and community initiatives), and guests were treated to a tour of the arena from Pittsburgh Penguins leadership. Students who graduated from the program were also given a list of contact information for the dozens of attorneys, legal professionals, and university representatives whom they met throughout the program. | |
PLDIC Annual Members Meeting
November 12, Buchanan
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Nearly 50 attendees (including representation from 27 PLDIC member organizations) gathered for the PLDIC’s 2025 Annual Members Meeting on November 12 at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. At this meeting, we hosted a fireside chat between Yusuf Zakir, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer at Davis Wright Tremaine, and PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel. They discussed the critical importance of continuing to advance and advocate for DEI work in the current climate, taking many insightful audience questions. Photo credits: Steven Adams
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Navigating the War for Talent in a New Recruiting Landscape
November 10, Virtual
| The PLDIC held a moderated Q&A about recent changes with law school recruiting that may impact legal employers. Participants from a dozen PLDIC member organizations learned what has changed with law school recruiting, how historically marginalized students are being affected even more than in the past, and why legal employers need to stay informed so that they can hire the best talent. Thank you to our panelists: Kellie Ware, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; and Maria Comas, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. | | |
Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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