PLDIC member organization Jones Day produced an impactful video which was aired last fall at the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and PLDIC’s CLE, "Racial Equity in the Legal Profession." It features PLDIC Board members Eric Cottle (Board Chair), K&L Gates; Tony Thompson, Dollar Bank; 2023 PLDIC Volunteer of the Year Rebeca Himena Miller, Leech Tishman; and many other influential lawyers in the Pittsburgh region. Please take a few minutes to watch this impactful and important reminder of why the PLDIC exists and how we need to continue working together to influence change in our legal community.

As in-house counsel, you have more power than you realize to shape internal DEI efforts and outside counsels’ DEI efforts. Join fellow in-house counsel and law firm leadership for a free two-hour CLE event. This General Counsel Summit will include a keynote address from James Banks, Jr. President/CEO of JBanks Consulting LLC and recently retired GC of SHRM, and a panel of distinguished general counsel – including Greg Jordan of PNC, Duane Holloway of U.S. Steel, Alison Moore-Alexis of BNY Mellon, Janet Lee of Ansys, and Christie Tillapaugh of Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, and an opportunity for you to try “leading from your seat.” Victoria McKenney, U.S. Steel, will moderate. A networking reception will immediately follow the CLE program.

Promoting reflective practices and cultural humility, this innovative training program is meticulously crafted to empower participants with actionable insights for cultivating a healthier and caring workplace. Led by Dr. Abdesalam Soudi, Sociolinguist, and Lead Developer of The Cultural Engagement Playbook®, alongside Dr. Adriana Modesto Gomes Da Silva, Professor and Assistant Dean of Diversity, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, attendees will leave with the knowledge and tools needed to positively impact their workplace environment.

Participants should register to attend both dates as they will build upon each other. Lunch will be served at each meeting. Please register by March 8.

The PLDIC Community Building Committee is hosting its second annual trivia night - come meet up with friends and fellow PLDIC members for a fun, casual evening with food and drink. Register (registrants are welcome to bring a guest); and please arrive on time so that teams can be formed. Email Community Building Committee Chair Kelsey Currie with any questions.

Members are also invited to connect with fellow PLDIC members prior to the meeting at the Phipps Spring Flower Show at 4 p.m. If you would like to attend, please indicate on the question included on our registration form by April 3 in order to guarantee a ticket.

On Thursday, February 8, the PLDIC hosted its first organized speed networking event between diverse 1L law students and PLDIC member organizations who have available 2024 summer law clerk or internship positions for first year law students at Emerald City Pittsburgh. Thanks to all organizations and law students who participated! would you like to see more events like this in the future?

Over the past few weeks, the PLDIC has been visiting local law schools to speak with students and share advice about networking, interviews, mentoring, and more. On January 25, we stopped by the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University with Bryan Brantley, McGuireWoods; Tami Mack, American Eagle Outfitters; and Derrick Maultsby Jr., Frost Brown Todd, to talk with first year students as they begin (or continue) attending networking events. Then, on February 6, we presented an interactive session at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law about how to make your first legal job a success, featuring panelists Elizabeth Hughes, UPMC; Claire Sarmiento, Reed Smith; PLDIC Board member Tony Thompson, Dollar Bank; and Sarah Winters, Fox Rothschild.

The PLDIC had a great morning on Thursday, February 22, interacting with students at The Pittsburgh Promise Career Day at the August Wilson Center. Thanks to member organization Cozen O'Connor for participating and sending water bottles for the students! Several individuals from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and from FedEx Ground were in attendance as well.

PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel was also recently quoted in the Trib about the importance of showing young people in Pittsburgh that our legal community is passionate about their well-being. "If they want to be part of the legal profession, there are so many people ready to support them, and who can help them thrive,” she said.

Apply to participate in Vibrant Pittsburgh's 5.0 Vibrant Index by 3/1. Many PLDIC members participate in the Index, which benchmarks participating organizations DEI practices in comparison to best practices. In 2023, members Ansys, DICK'S Sporting Goods, PNC, and UPMC were named Champions (scoring 95%+ in nine Vibrant Index pillars).

Hosted by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

PLDIC members will be celebrating Pride at not one, but two events in March! Join us for Opera Pride Night at the Benedum Center on March 16, with a happy hour before the show begins, and on March 26 for Pens Pride Night at PPG Paints Arena.

Benedum, March 16 at 7 p.m.