PLDIC Volunteer of the Year: 2024

Sidnee McDonald

Associate | Cozen O’Connor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, where did you go to college?
I am from Rochester, New York. I attended SUNY Brockport for college and earned a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in African & African American studies and political science. I also earned a Master’s in Public Administration from SUNY Brockport. I earned my law degree from Penn State Law.

Why did you decide to go to law school? What motivated you to be a lawyer?
I went to college thinking I would be a doctor, so I majored in biology. However, once I got to college, I did not like my classes. I felt like I did not belong because I was one of a few Black students in my classes. I felt as if there was no space for me in medicine. As a freshman, we were required to take an elective in cultural studies, and I chose an African American studies class. I loved the course. I loved what we were learning, how the professor engaged with the class, the discussions and debates, but most importantly, I felt like I belonged in that space. So at the end of the semester, I told the professor of the class that I wanted to switch my major from biology to African American studies. On the day that the professor was helping me switch my major, I asked him what kind of job I could have with a degree in African & African American studies, and he said I could do anything. He proceeded to name successful people who majored or minored in African American studies, and the one that caught my attention was Michelle Obama. It was in that moment I decided I wanted to become a lawyer.

Why do you love Pittsburgh?
I like Pittsburgh because of the great people I get to work with and the community I have found.

Why do you volunteer with the PLDIC?
I volunteer with the PLDIC because their mission to promote diversity and inclusion within the Pittsburgh legal community resonates deeply with me. I am passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and respected. That’s why I am committed to working alongside the PLDIC to support their initiatives and make a positive impact.

What can the legal community do better to support the growth and advancement of lawyers from historically underrepresented backgrounds?
There needs to be more effort put forth to make the legal community more inclusive. Focusing solely on diversity initiatives has led to low retention of lawyers from historically underrepresented backgrounds. You cannot invite marginalized individuals into your space and expect us to abandon our identities and assimilate. To create an inclusive space, we must allow for the identities and cultural norms of the marginalized to become the cultural norms of the legal community. The first step is abandoning individualistic ideologies and uplifting collectivist values.

Who are your legal heroes?
Constance Baker Motley, Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, Michelle Obama, Angela Rye, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Marilyn Mosby.

Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
Maxine Shaw

Do you have anything else you want the Pittsburgh legal community to know about you?
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” – Shirley Chisholm. This quote resonates deeply with me because it encapsulates my commitment to giving back to the community and supporting those in need. It drives my passion for volunteering and advocating for underrepresented groups within the legal field.