Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together

The Public Defender is responsible for furnishing competent and effective legal counsel to any person who lacks sufficient funds to obtain legal counsel in any proceeding where representation is constitutionally required. The Public Defender offers skilled, aggressive, and passionate advocacy to preserve the rights guaranteed to all.

“Joining the PLDIC will add to the community relationships that the Office of the Public Defender in Allegheny County is building.” – Public Defender Office

The Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness ("Interbranch Commission") was established in 2005 by the three branches of Pennsylvania government. The purpose of the Interbranch Commission is to promote equal application of the law.

“The PLDIC and the Interbranch Commission share the vital mission of promoting diversity in our legal community. We are excited to explore the many potential avenues for collaboration and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.” – Maraleen Shields, Executive Director

The University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Duquesne Kline School of Law have selected the 2024-2025 Susan Yohe Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) scholars. This year’s recipients are Miranda Schramm (Robert Morris University ’25), Pitt Law; and Nia Latham (Pennsylvania West University ’23), Duquesne Kline. With the scholarship now in its third year of existence, there are now scholars at both schools in the 1L, 2L, and 3L levels.

The PLDIC participated in Diversity Lab’s “2024 Moments to Movements Hackathon,” a shark-tank style pitch competition, alongside 100+ law firm and legal department leaders in New York City. Executive Director Ena Lebel, PLDIC member employees Yoowhi Cho, K&L Gates and James Keller, Saul Ewing – as well as teammates Pablo Castro, Cisco, Tom Chen, Haynes Boone; Jeremy Creelan, Jenner & Block; Judy Mercier, Holland & Knight; Stephanie Niehaus, Peloton; and Amanda Rosania, American Express – were the judge’s winner of the Community Challenge with their pitch about creating a program called the BUILD Certification, a certification that focuses less on “who,” and more on “how” we all can contribute to an inclusive profession where everyone has a fair shot at success.

Congratulations to our two 2024 PLDIC/The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) scholars, who graduated in July from TALI's Executive Leadership Academy (ELA): Danielle Mundekis, Director of Inclusion, Eckert Seamans; and Nicole Rhodes, Associate Legal Counsel, University of Pittsburgh. The ELA program, which ran from January-July, is designed for senior-level managers and executives from the Greater Pittsburgh region with demonstrated leadership experience and a desire to achieve professional excellence. The PLDIC is grateful for our partnership with TALI which enables us to continue offering our members this opportunity.

Nearly half of the 2024 Vibrant Champions are PLDIC member organizations! These organizations have demonstrated exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Congratulations to all the 2024 Champions, but especially to Ansys, BNY, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Giant Eagle, Inc., PNC, United States Steel Corporation, and UPMC!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pittsburgh Legal Career Symposium

October 23 from 6-8 p.m. at Grand Hyatt Washington

The PLDIC will host its first ever Legal Career Symposium for law students in the DMV area on October 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The free event’s goal is to educate, recruit, and expand networking opportunities for students interested in learning about the Pittsburgh legal community. The Symposium will include representatives from the city’s wide and diverse legal community, including ambassadors from various sized law firms, major corporations, non-profit organizations, and PLDIC leadership. Attendees will have ample opportunity to meet with these representatives in a casual setting to learn about and ask questions that they may have about Pittsburgh. Students will also be able to provide their resumes to the legal employers in attendance and sign up for opportunities to be connected to more Pittsburgh area lawyers. Drinks and light Hors D’oeuvres will be provided.

The 2024 PLDIC Annual Members Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20 from 5-7 p.m. at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. All employees (and students) of PLDIC member organizations are encouraged to attend. More details forthcoming.

Over 60 individuals representing 11 PLDIC member organizations had a wonderful afternoon at our second annual Family Picnic on Sunday, August 25 at Forbes & Braddock Shelter. Attendees enjoyed the green space, playgrounds, delicious locally catered food and drink, and most importantly – great company!

The PLDIC's Corporate Roundtable held an “Ask Us Anything” panel and networking reception for over a dozen Pittsburgh area law students who identify as diverse. Students asked our experienced panel of in-house counsel a wide variety of questions about what it’s like to work in-house. Thanks to member Babst Calland for hosting.

On June 4, the PLDIC’s Retention Committee wrapped up a three-part CLE workshop series led by Professor Audrey Murrell on mentoring. The last session, "The Importance of Mentoring for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," featured a panel of PLDIC member organizations including Antoinette Oliver from Meyer Unkovic & Scott, and Amber Castelli from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, who provided insight into their formal mentoring programs. Program resources are available on the PLDIC Member Dashboard for all member employees to access.

The PLDIC joined the Allegheny County Bar Association for two events this month to celebrate PRIDE. On Saturday, June 1 members marched in the 2024 Pittsburgh Pride Parade with the ACBA's LGBTQ+ Rights Committee, and attended the Pittsburgh Pirates Pride Night on Friday, June 7.

Diverse Law Student Kickoff to Summer

May 30

The PLDIC and ACBA YLD Diversity Committee hosted a fun kickoff to summer event at Standard Market & Pint for law students working in Pittsburgh this summer who identify as diverse. Attendees representing five local law schools (including students set to work at eight different PLDIC member organizations) connected with other summer law clerks and signed up for mentors. They also had a chance to meet with lawyers on the PLDIC Board, YPAB, Law Student Support Working Group, YLD Diversity Committee, and the ACBA.

This summer, the PLDIC continued its Legal Career Pathways programming, encouraging Pittsburgh area youth to consider pursuing a legal career. In August, we visited Casa San Jose (a resource center that connects, supports, and advocates for the Latino Community) for the second time with help from Rebeca Himena Miller, Leech Tishman; Mollie Rosenzweig, Edgar Snyder & Associates; Gilda Arroyo, Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky; and Ryan Naumann, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. In July, we visited both the Boys and Girls Club Shadyside and downtown locations. Thanks to our many volunteers who helped to put on successful, engaging sessions for the teens: Dickie McCamey attorneys Devon Ferris, Sarra Holt, Seth Merryman, Ryan Naumann, Barb Strnad, and Charity Williams; Shanicka Kennedy, FedEx, Sidnee McDonald, Cozen O'Connor; and Donna Devlin, Emily Lane, and Patti Monohan, all from the Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association.

The PLDIC's Young Professional Advisory Board held two successful happy hour for diverse attorneys and summer associates this summer - one in June at the Speckled Egg, where more than 25 diverse attorneys joined, and another on Thursday, July 18 at Coop De Ville. Look for more opportunities like this soon!

Pathways to Leadership: The Bench – Local and State Court

September 5 from 4:30-7 p.m. at Eckert Seamans

2nd Annual BNY Mellon Legal Networking Reception

September 11 from 4-6 at Reed Smith

The Top Cybersecurity Threats Facing the 2024 Elections September 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Diverse Law Student Reception

September 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Revel and Roost

The American Bar Association will award two Diversity Scholarships that cover the registration costs to attend the Forum on Construction Law on October 23-25 at the Grand Wyndham Pittsburgh. Scholarships will be awarded to women and minority construction lawyers, construction lawyers with disabilities, and construction lawyers from the LGBTQ+ community. Applicants should submit a copy of their resume with a short letter describing their construction law practice, along with reasons why they want to attend. If selected, candidates must commit to attend the program (scholarships not transferable). Scholarship questions and/or applications should be sent directly to the Chair of the Forum’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee Jaimee L. Nardiello by September 13.

In honor of Executive Director Ena Lebel's three-year anniversary with the PLDIC, check out her recent podcast interview on "Embrace the Squiggle," where she discussed her career journey and how it led her to where she is today.

A More Perfect Union: How to Talk about Politics in a Divided World

September 10 at 12 p.m., Virtual

Companies Quietly Ramp up DEI Efforts Amid Political Turmoil