EFILG is led by Attorney Ellen Freeman who brings over 20 years of experience in employment-based immigration solutions. The firm services corporate clients in a wide variety of industries with a focus on pharma, biotech, engineering, supply chain management, AI, manufacturing, energy, academia, healthcare, hospitality and the arts. Services include employment-based immigrant petitions. Since its formation in March of 2019, the firm has been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in America.

“As a Ukrainian born refugee and a single mother, I was able to overcome obstacles of navigating a new life in the U.S., succeeding in law school just a few years after the arrival, rising to become a partner in one of the largest law firms in Pittsburgh and, later on, a partner in charge of a new law office. Thirty years later, it is still rare to see immigrant women succeeding in law management. By joining the PLDIC, I hope to help other diverse attorneys with immigrant background flourish in the Pittsburgh legal community.”

Congratulations to our two 2024 PLDIC TALI Scholars: Danielle Mundekis, Director of Inclusion, Eckert Seamans; and Nicole Rhodes, Associate Legal Counsel, University of Pittsburgh. Both recipients received scholarships to attend The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)’s Executive Leadership Academy. The Executive Leadership Academy is for Black executives or mid-level managers from the Greater Pittsburgh region who have higher level career aspirations. The program began this month and runs through July. Congratulations, Danielle and Nicole! 

If you are a diverse 1L law student who is interested in working in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2024, please register by February 1 and upload your resume with your registration. We will provide your resume to registered PLDIC member organizations in advance of the event. Please note: While we cannot guarantee an employment match, we are asking only PLDIC member organizations who are actively hiring for summer internships to participate in the speed networking portion of the event. Our goal is to have every registered member organization meet with at least five students.

If you are a PLDIC Member and you can hire a 1L student for a 2024 summer law clerk or internship position and would like to diversify the pool of talent you are considering, please register by February 1 and plan to arrive by 5 p.m. The PLDIC will provide you with resumes from all the registered law students in advance of the event. If you are unable to hire a 1L this summer but are still interested in meeting the law students, you are welcome to attend the more general networking reception beginning at 6 p.m.

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.

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.

Join the Chinese Association for Science and Technology-Pittsburgh Chapter (CASTP) Organization with collaboration and support from PLDIC member Carnegie Museum of Art for a mesmerizing Lunar New Year celebration where ancient Chinese traditions meet Pittsburgh’s vibrant performing arts landscape creating a world where cultural diversity shines! Spend the afternoon immersed in an experience that brings together ancient traditions and contemporary aesthetics, fostering the collective and collaborative spirit in our community. The event is divided into two segments: the Fair and the Show, each presenting an exciting array of movement, music, and tradition. The PLDIC Community Building Committee is a sponsor of this event. Advance event registration required; museum admission included with event ticket.

Several PLDIC members enjoyed a restorative yoga practice with Jacquelin Walker on January 24 at PLDIC member organization Eckert Seamans. Stay tuned for more events from this series in 2024.

On Friday, December 15, the PLDIC participated in the Pittsburgh Promise Career Day with the middle schoolers at University Preparatory School, Milliones 6-12. Students argued which candy was best: Kit Kat or Reese's. Kit Kat won three times, Reese’s won two, and there was one settlement! Thanks to Devon Ferris, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote; Karen Baillie, Ogletree Deakins; and Samantha Clancy, GNC, for participating!

Seventeen PLDIC member organizations were represented at our annual Member Holiday Party event, which was held at Puttery. Guests mingled, enjoyed food and drink, and tried their hand at mini golf!

The PLDIC continues its programming for teens at the downtown location of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA (BGCWPA). The first session took place on January 24 with Karen Baillie, Ogletree; Shanicka Kennedy, FedEx; DeMarr Moulton, U.S. Attorney’s Office; and Tamara Collier, U.S. Attorney’s Office. Additional sessions will take place on March 21 and April 17. Contact Ena if you’d like to volunteer to speak to the teens.

The PLDIC wrapped up its fall sessions at the BGCWPA Shadyside on November 29. Thanks to Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor, Kellie Ware, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Allegheny County Bar Association; and Lena Bryan-Henderson, newly appointed Allegheny County Chief Public Defender, for participating and teaching these teens about pathways to the legal profession.

The Pennsylvania Association for Justice is accepting applications through January 31 for the Diverse Mentoring Initiative (DMI) program.

Attorneys are invited to join the Homer S. Brown Division in celebrating the launch of the Division’s first children’s book, “Black Lawyers of the Burgh.” The book introduces children to careers in law through the journeys of many Pittsburgh-based lawyers.

Many executives are staying the course amidst political backlash and legal challenges to their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, according to PLDIC member Littler's recent survey examining DEI practices for employers. According to this Pittsburgh Business Times article, Littler found 57% of organizations have expanded their DEI commitments over the past year. That's similar to the 59% of companies that reported facing backlash toward corporate diversity programs. Only 1% of companies reported a significant decrease in their DEI efforts, even after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action has sparked increased scrutiny and lawsuits targeting DEI initiatives. Also, don't forget that the PLDIC offers public DEI resources on our website, including affirmative action-related ones.

NALP recently released its 2023 annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms. The report showed continued overall advancement in the representation of women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals within U.S. law firms despite growth stalling in some areas within the summer associate classes. An important milestone for women was reached this year ― they now constitute the majority of all associates for the first time in history.