The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
March 27, 2024
Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
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PLDIC Welcomes Three New Members |
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Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 15 offices and 700 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Their professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since its inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives.
“As we grow as an office in Pittsburgh and across our firm, we are delighted to expand our firm’s DEI strategic partner network and scale our overall DEI efforts by joining forces with the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition, a mission aligned organization focused on fostering an inclusive culture, sharing best practices, and raising local awareness of diversity successes and initiatives in the Pittsburgh legal community. When Roy and I became the Pittsburgh Office Co-Chairs a little over a year ago, we both established as one of our top priorities carrying forward the leadership of James Barnes, George Medved, and Eddie Edwards in promoting an inclusive workplace filled with exceptional legal talent.”
– Amy Joseph Coles, Partner
“Over the past 15 months, we have been fortunate to attract a diverse group of top notch talent in Judge Tim Lewis, Yvonne Saadi, Brandy Ringer and Bryant Andrews (part of the PLDIC’s Young Professional Advisory Board), and Andrew Cross. We look forward to continuing to do so as we grow the office and serve our clients at the highest levels. We are very excited that we can mentor lawyers like Brandy and Bryant as they continue to emerge as leaders in the local legal and business community. They are stars who will shine bright for years to come.”
– Roy Arnold, Partner
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Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority |
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The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is a non-profit, public utility providing essential and dependable water services to a population of approximately 500,000 throughout Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. As protectors of public health and the environment, we are responsible for the delivery of safe and reliable water services for customers now and the future.
“The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s Legal Department is proud to join the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC). We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities we serve. We see our values reflected in the mission of the PLDIC and together, as partners, can create a diverse, thriving legal community in the Pittsburgh region.”
– Monica Walaan, Chief Legal Officer, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
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Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (Affiliate Member) |
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Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) is a nonpartisan nonprofit, that envisions a Pennsylvania judicial system in which everyone who participates is assured impartiality, fairness, accessibility and respect. PMC works to educate all Pennsylvanians about our courts and how to navigate them with confidence, provide resources to make that possible for all residents of the Commonwealth, and advocate for judicial reforms that promote inclusion and access to justice. They engage in a wide variety of initiatives to accomplish these goals.
“PMC is overjoyed to join PLDIC to collaborate in their mission of creating a culture of inclusion. It is of the utmost importance to PMC to empower and members of our Commonwealth to feel comfortable in and knowledgeable about the judicial system. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to expand access to justice.”
– Deborah Gross, President and CEO
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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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Also, thanks to TALI for featuring PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel in its Women's History Month Celebration! |
Ena was also featured on WAMO 107.3 this month! |
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PLDIC Trivia Night
April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Dollar Bank
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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.
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PLDIC Spring Members Meeting
April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Phipps Conservatory
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The PLDIC will hold its Spring Members Meeting on April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. PLDIC member organization employees and member school law students are invited to come enjoy the evening and network over cocktails and appetizers, hear updates from PLDIC leadership, and learn about courageous leadership from keynote speaker Kori Carew, attorney, speaker, and former law firm Chief Diversity Officer.
Her keynote address is titled, Navigating Turbulent Waters: Courageous Leadership in Upholding DEI Principles
In today’s landscape, the journey towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession faces unprecedented challenges. From legislative attacks to legal battles targeting DEI initiatives, the commitment to fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments has become more critical than ever. This keynote address will delve into the importance of staying the course on DEI efforts and the courage and intentionality required to sustain them.
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Attend the Flower Show with us Before the Meeting! |
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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.
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PLDIC Mentor Training Program
A three-part session presented by the PLDIC Recruiting Committee
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May 14, May 21, and June 4 from 12-1:30 p.m. at McGuireWoods |
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Join the PLDIC’s Retention Committee for a three-part training program on Mentoring. Led by Prof. Audrey Murrell of Pitt Business, participants will learn how to be effective mentors to improve retention and advancement of historically underrepresented employees in the region. More details about the training program and each module are forthcoming. The sessions will take place at PLDIC Member McGuireWoods’ offices at on Tuesdays: May 14, May 21, and June 4 from 12-1:30 p.m. CLE credit is pending, and lunch will be served.
Participants are encouraged to register for and attend all three sessions as they will build upon each other.
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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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First 25 registrants will receive a copy of Dr. Melaku's book! |
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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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Thanks to everyone who attended the PLDIC's General Counsel Summit and CLE, "Taking the Leap: In-House Counsel Shaping DEI Success," on Thursday, February 29 at Dentons Cohen & Grigsby. Over 60 attendees representing 19 PLDIC member organizations attended the event, which featured keynote speaker James Banks and a panel of distinguished general counsel – including Greg Jordan of PNC, Duane Holloway of United States Steel Corporation, Alison L. Moore-Alexis of BNY Mellon, Janet Lee of Ansys, and Christie Tillapaugh of Dentons Cohen & Grigsby. Thanks to Victoria McKenney, U.S. Steel, for moderating – and to Dentons Cohen & Grigsby for being such a wonderful host.
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Pitt Women in Law Speed Networking Event |
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The University of Pittsburgh's undergraduate student organization Women in Law invited the PLDIC to a speed networking event with its members on March 18. Special thanks to attorneys Melissa Evans, Neighborhood Legal Services; Erin Ickes, American Textile Company; Sidnee McDonald (PLDIC YPAB member), Cozen O'Connor; and Rebeca Himena Miller (PLDIC 2023 Volunteer of the Year), Leech Tishman, for their thoughtful advice and mentorship.
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Boys & Girls Club: March Session |
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The PLDIC continues its programming for teens at the downtown location of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. The second session of 2024 took place on March 20 and was greatly enjoyed by the students. Special thanks to Karen Baillie, Ogletree Deakins; Jesse Exilus, City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Law; DeMarr Moulton, United States Attorneys' Offices; Lindsay Petrosky, Jackson Kelly; and Barbara Strnad, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, for participating and helping to make the program a success. The next session will take place on April 17. If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to Ena Lebel.
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April 12, all day
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh and featuring PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel as a panelist
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May 9 from 3-4:30 p.m., Virtual
Hosted by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
*This event is aimed toward students
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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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Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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