Past Coalition Programming to Enhance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

  • The PLDIC’s “Towards a Culture of Inclusion” series from September 2020 – June 2021, a 10-month program which aimed to provide participants with the knowledge and tools needed to help solve the problem of disproportionate minority retention and to be ready to serve as Diversity Allies. These tools included: training and presentations of varying length; facilitated conversations about race; small group discussions among participants who sought to be a Diversity Ally; and written materials and ideas for use in workplaces.
  • One of the Coalition’s first speakers was Dr. William D. Henderson, Indiana University Maurer School of Law Professor, who presented practical solutions supported by empirical research to the legal profession’s “diversity problem.”
  • In response to research presented by Dr. Henderson on interviewing techniques to help eliminate bias in hiring, the Coalition hosted Dr. Arin Reeves of Nextions Consulting to help members introduce elements of behavioral interviewing into their hiring process.
  • The Coalition piloted a Model Career Advocate Program in 2019 for senior associates and young partners, the point at which research indicates many diverse lawyers leave their employers and sometimes, even the profession. The program, with the benefit of lessons learned in its inaugural year, will relaunch soon.
  • To discuss how important and how effective sponsorship programs can be, the Coalition presented Ricardo Anzaldua, general counsel of Freddie Mac, who described the sponsorship program he introduced while serving in the same position at MetLife.
  • A series of programs have been aimed at bringing our corporate counsel members together with our law firm members to foster collaborative efforts to enhance the success of diverse lawyers.
  • The Coalition hosts quarterly “Diversity Champions” lunches to facilitate the sharing of ideas, resources, and mutual support among our members’ diversity professionals and committees.
  • The Coalition regularly works with the Allegheny County Bar Association, the local chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, and the city’s two law schools (Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh) on programming to leverage the strength each organization brings to D&I work in the local legal community.