Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship: 2023-2024 Recipients

University of Pittsburgh School of Law recipient: Anne Darla Pamphile

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, where did you go to college?
My name is Anne Darla Pamphile, and I was born in Petionville, Haiti, where I spent the first five years of my childhood, until I moved to the United States in August 2005. I have lived in the Turtle Creek area of PA for the majority of my life. And I attended Saint Vincent College for my undergraduate studies in Latrobe, PA, where I graduated in May 2021.

Why did you decide to go to law school?
I became determined to go to law school after witnessing first-hand the injustices faced by immigrants and other minority groups in the United States. I have always been drawn to helping those that we, as a society, would classify as the “underdog”. I knew then, as I do now, that it is not my sole responsibility to fix the slew of issues in the legal system, but I fully understand that the impact of one subtle step towards change is what makes for a successful attorney and individual of any profession .

What attracted you to Pittsburgh?
Although I did not have much say in my family’s initial decision to move to Pittsburgh, I have grown to appreciate both the city’s historical significance and the vibrancy of its communities.

What are you most excited about doing in law school? In Pittsburgh?
I am looking forward to learning the intricacies of the law and the different ways in which it can be utilized to bring about equitable opportunities for all. I am also particularly excited to connect with the talented attorneys and other young professionals in the city of Pittsburgh and to try out some highly recommended restaurants!

The legal profession has historically had challenges with diversity, what are 2-3 things you wish law schools and legal employers would do better?
I would love to see more law schools and legal employers alike take the initiative to diversify the profession so as to encourage more marginalized groups to pursue the study and practice of law. It is important that law schools, employers, and third-party entities, such as the LSAC, initiate collaborative efforts to implement legal education programs in schools across the nation. These programs should be inclusive of undergraduate scholarships, internships, and free SAT prep materials at the beginner and intermediate levels (i.e., middle school and high-school aged students). At the advanced level (i.e., enrolled college students), this program should provide free LSAT prep courses, personal/diversity statement prep, networking opportunities with both law students and licensed attorneys, scholarships/internships (specifically geared towards law school education), along with law school tours and class sit ins. These sorts of initiatives firstly remove the financial barrier that so often deters students from following their law school dreams and, secondly, eliminate the imposter syndrome which is associated with being underrepresented in numerous avenues of life, allowing students to envision themselves in the field, thereby instilling within them an unshakeable confidence that they can genuinely achieve success in a legal career.

Who are your legal heroes?
Among some of my most admired legal figures are Justice Thurgood Marshall and First Lady Michelle Obama for their dedication to equality and advocacy in their respective ways. The undeniable impact of Justice Marshall’s tenacity as a young attorney can still be felt today and it is because of this that I am able to sit amongst my peers in pursuit of a postsecondary education. Similarly, Michelle Obama’s road to Harvard Law school and experience as an attorney and political figure has inspired me immensely and serves as a constant reminder that I can truly do anything I set my mind to. Her decision to take on various roles as a public servant following her graduation from Harvard Law and proven commitment to healthier lifestyles for all (including those lacking the resources to do so and to higher education, specifically for young women, as the first African American First Lady of the US, is truly motivational.

Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
My favorite fictional lawyer of all time (albeit she takes on the role of a former lawyer-turned-White House aide on the show) is Olivia Pope. I have always appreciated the way that she is able to set her sights on a goal and execute it almost seamlessly on behalf of her clients, who clearly all have good reason to trust her legal and political expertise, with the help of her tight-knit and talented team. Her poise, elegance, confidence, and prowess, especially in the midst of extremely high-pressure situations, are certainly admirable.

Do you have anything else you want the Pittsburgh legal community to know about you?
I am so grateful and excited to embark on my law school journey with the support of my family, friends, and now the PLDIC and Pitt Law communities. I look forward to learning from my PLDIC mentors and developing new skills and a newfound confidence to ensure my success both as an incoming law student and as a future attorney.

Reflections Upon Graduation (May 2026):

Being a PLDIC Scholar throughout law school has meant more to me than I can fully put into words. Of course, the financial support made a meaningful difference, but what stayed with me most was knowing that there were people genuinely invested in my success and growth throughout this journey. Law school can be incredibly demanding, and there were definitely moments where that support and encouragement mattered more than anyone probably realized.

PLDIC also gave me a sense of community and connection within the legal profession. As someone who came into law school wanting to work hard, grow professionally, and create opportunities not only for myself but for others around me, it was encouraging to be surrounded by people who valued those same things. Being a scholar reminded me that I belonged in these spaces even during moments of doubt or exhaustion.

Looking back now, I feel genuinely grateful to have been part of PLDIC throughout all three years of law school. It has been a meaningful part of my experience, and I’ll carry that support with me as I begin my career.

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University recipient: Eva Morgan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, where did you go to college?
I was born and raised in the city of Rochester, New York. I graduated high school from a very small town with a graduating class of 86. After I graduated high school I furthered my education at Syracuse University, and I graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.S. in Psychology.

Why did you decide to go to law school?
I was adopted at the age of three. The lawyer that helped my parents fight for custody of me truly made one of the biggest impacts on my life. Growing up I wanted to be a lawyer and then I fell in love with science. Over my sophomore year at Syracuse University I decided to stray away from my pre-medical track, and pursue my passion of going to law school. I decided to go to law school because I want to make an impact on someone else’s life like our family lawyer did for me.

What attracted you to Pittsburgh?
I toured Duquesne when I was looking at colleges while in high school and I loved the campus and the professors I met. At that time I was not ready to go too far from home so I decided on a closer school. When I did my tour for admitted students day at Duquesne Law in March 2023, I instantly felt like I was at home. The 1L professors showed a genuine interest in helping students succeed and become excellent lawyers. On our way home, my Mom and I talked whether to go to UB in Buffalo or Duquesne and it was a feeling we both had, it just felt right, despite the distance from home.

What are you most excited about doing in law school? In Pittsburgh?
One aspect of law school that I am most looking forward to is learning a new way of analyzing problems, and overall expanding my knowledge of law. I have always loved school and learning and I am extremely excited to learn from such a knowledgeable group of professors and fellow students.

The legal profession has historically had challenges with diversity, what are 2-3 things you wish law schools and legal employers would do better?
One thing that law schools could do better is trying to view candidates as more than what they present on paper. Trying to get to know someone on a personal level is what can show an institution how motivated and determined they are to succeed. Looking at someone as a whole and not just a bunch of numbers on a transcript or standardized test, can change the course of the legal field. By only taking into account someone’s LSAT score can discriminate against a potentially excellent J.D. candidate or lawyer from bettering the legal field. Legal employers could improve on the treatment of women. In such a male dominated field, women are often not taken seriously or their ideas are ignored. Working on equal treatment of women and men in the workplace and when hiring new staff, making sure that gender is not being used against the candidate.

Who are your legal heroes?
I do not have a specific legal hero, but I admire family lawyers specifically. Without family lawyers, children like myself would still be in terrible living conditions whether that be absent or abusive parents, family lawyers play a huge role in helping foster care children escape a horrible life. The courage and strength it takes to represent children coming from families is a task that is not easy, but highly admirable and rewarding.

Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
Although this may sound cliche, my favorite fictional character has to be Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), from Legally Blonde. As a young and impressionable child, watching a strong female role work hard to achieve a goal and to prove society wrong about women being seen as “ditzy” inspired me. In a male predominant field I have always seen Elle Woods as a courageous female role who did everything in her power to prove to her friends and family that she could excel in law school. As a child of adoption and being a part of a minority, I continue to push myself to be the best version of myself and to also beat the odds that are stacked against me.

Do you have anything else you want the Pittsburgh legal community to know about you?
I want the community to know that I bring a unique perspective with me; I have experienced hardships and adjusted to a new family at the age of three, which has taught me resilience, strength, determination and drive. I will use my past to learn as much as I can and in turn will strive to educate and support the communities of Pittsburgh.

Reflections Upon Graduation (May 2026):

Being a recipient of the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship has been such a critical aspect to my legal career and personal growth. Not only did this scholarship financially assist my law school journey but it allowed me to connect with a welcoming and helpful community. Over the past 3 years I have had the joy and pleasure of meeting many members of the PLDIC through networking events and programs at Duquesne Kline School of Law. Entering the legal profession as a first-generation law student was intimidating, and I often felt uncertain about how to navigate the path ahead but every member of the PLDIC was there to help lead the way.

Through my time here in Pittsburgh, I have made many personal and professional relationships to which I owe a huge thanks to the PLDIC. If I had not been selected to receive the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship the financial stress of attending law school would have been another battle to face. By alleviating the financial burden, I was able to devote more of my time and energy to my studies and to serving on the Executive Board of Duquesne’s National Plaintiff’s Law Association.

I will forever be grateful to the PLDIC for the support, mentorship, and opportunities that have made my law school experience and transition into the legal profession so rewarding. I want to give the biggest thank you to Susan, a woman whose devotion to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in her resilience, dedication, and compassion. As I begin my legal profession in New York, I will continue to further Susan’s goals of advocating and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our profession.

Thank you to the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship for facilitating my legal education and to every member of the PLDIC for your generosity and believing in my potential.