The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
March 22, 2023
Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
|
|
|
Young Professionals Advisory Board |
|
Applications Open April 19! |
|
The PLDIC seeks emerging attorney leaders to apply for its inaugural Young Professionals Advisory Board (YPAB). Applications will open on April 19, 2023. Qualified applicants should be attorneys who have been practicing 10 years or less, are employees of a PLDIC member organization, and have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. YPAB Members will be informed of their selection by the end of May 2023 and the first YPAB Meeting will take place in July 2023.
|
|
PLDIC Welcomes Newest Member |
|
"BNYM has been at the forefront of change in the financial world for over 230 years and is a long standing member of the Pittsburgh Legal community. With over 500 legal professionals worldwide and over 80 based in Pittsburgh, we are thrilled to join the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition. BNY Mellon has an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and we eagerly commit to the PLDIC’s mission of moving Pittsburgh’s legal community forward, together.”
– Alison L. Moore-Alexis,
Deputy General Counsel, Investment Services and Senior Sponsor, Legal Department Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program
|
|
Program Relaunching for 2023-2024 |
|
The PLDIC, in partnership with the Allegheny County Bar Association, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, and the Pittsburgh Black Lawyers Alliance, is thrilled to relaunch the 2L/3L Mentoring Program for 2023-2024.
Mentees: All participants in the ACBA 1L Summer Clerkship program will be automatically enrolled in the 2L/3L Mentoring Program. Additionally, a select number of mentee slots will be available for 2022-2023 program participants. All selected mentees will receive a one-year student membership to the ACBA sponsored by the PLDIC.
Mentors: Mentors will be a diverse cohort of attorneys from law firms, corporations, government, and nonprofit organizations. Should you wish to be a mentor, please fill out this form.
|
|
PLDIC Spring Members Meeting
April 19 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art's Hall of Architecture
|
|
The PLDIC will hold its Spring Members Meeting on Wednesday, April 19 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Hall of Architecture. PLDIC member organization employees and member law school students are invited to come enjoy the evening and network over cocktails and appetizers.
Attendees will also hear the results of the recent PLDIC Members Survey, see what has changed since the survey was conducted last in 2018, and find out what the current state of diversity, equity, inclusion is in the Pittsburgh Legal Community. You’ll also hear from PLDIC Board Chair Eric Cottle about the state of the Coalition, get reports from our Committee Chairs, and learn from Executive Director Ena Lebel about ways you can maximize your PLDIC membership. Please register in advance.
|
|
Building an Inclusive Business to Compete in Today’s Global Market |
|
On March 15, attendees from eight organizations learned the theory behind the VOKLY DEI Progression Model, applied it to evaluate their own organizations, and had the opportunity to ask detailed and firm-specific questions of VOKLY. Thank you to PLDIC member organization Schnader for hosting this event. Resources from the event are available on our Members Only page.
|
|
|
|
On February 23, 40 participants heard from a seasoned group of recruiters about their experiences working with diverse legal candidates considering opportunities in Pittsburgh. A recording from the event is available on our Members Only page.
|
|
|
The Community Building Committee wants to know, would you be interested in a PLDIC:
|
|
|
Take the LGBTQ+ culture mini-assessment No.3! |
PLDIC has partnered with Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation to make a series of mini-assessments around LGBTQ+ competency available to you as our members. Multiple people within an organization are invited to participate. The third mini-assessment is all about LGBTQ+ inclusive dress code. Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation created this mini assessment based on real life experiences of transgender/nonbinary lawyers in the workplace providing services as well as from feedback of the queer community seeking legal services and trying to find an inclusive workplace. Learn more and take the assessment, below.
|
|
LGBTQ+/Ally Night at the Opera
March 25 at 7 p.m., Benedum Center
|
|
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.
|
|
Roadways to the Bench: Who Me? A Bankruptcy or Magistrate Judge?
April 3 at 4 p.m., Joseph R. Weis Jr. Courthouse
|
|
This spring, the federal judiciary will hold its second nationwide diversity program, Roadways to the Bench. The program is geared towards lawyers and law students with a particular focus on expanding the pipeline of potential bankruptcy and magistrate judges and attracting the broadest possible pool of qualified candidates. |
|
Am I a White Woman? A Conversation for Women
March 29 at 3 p.m., Virtual
|
|
Join the IILP for a candid conversation about “White Women” and the application of language to power, support, and allyship among women with Professor Emeritus Janet E. Helms and a panel of distinguished lawyers. |
|
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?
|
|
Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
