The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) advocates for diversity in law schools. They believe—as do we in the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University—that
access to justice is essential for a democratic society, and diversity in the legal
profession increases the likelihood of access for people from an increasingly diverse
population.
Further, diversity in law schools enables individuals from a wide range of backgrounds
to add their perspectives to the greater legal community.
Duquesne Kline School of Law is dedicated to creating a truly diverse community of scholars. Today, our students
have more opportunities than ever to study with future colleagues from a multitude
of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. They learn from professors who bring diverse
experiences into the classroom—and they experience firsthand the U.S. legal industry
transforming into a more diverse profession.
Impactful speakers have been welcomed on campus including U.S. Attorney General Eric
Holder, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Graduate Students of Color Dinner with Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University
and University of Pittsburgh Held April 24, 2023 at Duquesne University Power Center
Black Law Students Caricatures Food Networking Event Held April 21, 2023 at McGuire Woods Law Firm
Women's Law Association Woman of the Year Reception Held March 29, 2023 at Duquesne University's UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
Second Annual Future Voices of the People Event for High School Students Held March 24, 2023 at Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
More than 50 high school students attend the event, led by Sam Coyne, Dr. Valerie
Harper, and Janine Macklin of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
Justice Cynthia Baldwin (retired) and Judge Dwayne Woodruffprovided opening remarks, along withWarner Macklin who served as a panelist. Crystal McCormick Ware and Quincy Stephensongave a message, whileBill Generett welcomed guests.
Additional faculty and staff members who contributed to the success of the event wereAssociate Dean Schiavone, Professors Glencer, Kaufman, and Orsatti, Assistant Dean
Stokan, CJ Green, Taj-Aya Barnes,Associate Dean Willke, Savannah, Mary, Dawn, Nicole P, Taryn, and Carrie Samarin for ensuring that all details were seamlessly covered.
A highlight for the high school students was the opportunity to attend a real law
school class.Professor Meredithhooked them by using the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to teach a short,
interactive course on the rule of law.
Duquesne Kline law student volunteers included Kebron Assefa, Tiffeny Ayoola, Victoria
Bedick, Chelsea Bruce, Antonio Cheatom, Jeffrey Chmay, Chloe Clifford, Fallon Howard,
Roshni Master, John McFarlane, Maggie McIlroy, Claire Neiberg, Rachel Schade, Michaela
Smith, and Jamilah Wesley.
How to Make Your Summer Internship a Success: Why Mentoring and Networking Is Crucial Held Feb. 15, 2023 at Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
The Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition sponsored a panel presentation and interactive breakout session on how you can make
your summer internship a success by leaning into networking and mentoring.
The panel was from 5 to 6 p.m. and moderated by PLDIC Executive Director Ena Lebel. Panelists included ACBA Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Kellie Ware, practicing attorneys Erin Ickes, Taylor Gillan and Eric Cottle, and Eckert Seamans’ Employee Relations & Inclusion Manager Danielle Mundekis. After the panel presentation, students had the opportunity to ask individual questions
and role play networking and mentoring scenarios in facilitated small group breakouts.
Email Ena with any follow-up questions about the event.
Graduate/Professional Students of Color Dinner Held Feb. 8, 2023 at University of Pittsburgh
A celebration of community and culture, this event was sponsored by Duquesne University,
Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC)
September 1, 2022 at City of Asylum, 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
2L/3L Mentoring Program – In partnership with the Allegheny County Bar Association,
University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Duquesne Kline School of Law of Duquesne
University, and the Pittsburgh Black Lawyers Alliance
2L/3L Mentoring Program Kickoff Event
First meeting of the semester between students and experienced lawyers, welcoming
all.
Additional programs (virtual sessions):
Government Jobs with Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor and AUSA Jacqueline Brown – Sept. 19, 2022
Giving back to get Back-How Getting Involved in Our Community Helps you Gain a community-ACBF
Board Chair Keith Whitson and ACBA LGBTQ+ Rights Committee Chair Nick Bell – November 9, 2022
Graduate Students of Color Thanksgiving Dinner
November 16, 2022
Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University. The 2022
dinner was hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.
This event has been held for 31 years. Duquesne University rejoined this year. The
next event will be hosted by Pitt, then Duquesne University.
Students received a delicious dinner, listened to an excellent graduate speaker, and
received free professional headshots.
CEIR (Pittsburgh Corporate Equity Inclusion Roundtable) Conference
November 16, 2022
Duquesne University, Power Center Ballroom
Re-imagining Pittsburgh as a Region of Equity, Inclusion, and Impact for African Americans
Initiated by the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)
Tim Stevens, Chairman & CEO
Various companies presented their outreach to meet equity, equality, and justice within
their hiring and employment process
Kline Duquesne WLA and FedEx Ground Women’s Attorney Forum
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Students were invited to learn about working as in-house counsel from the perspective
of women & diverse attorneys. In a speed networking format, students had a chance
to meet and learn from the attorneys from FedEx Ground.
Supported by Career Services and Inclusive and Excellence Office.
PBA (Pennsylvania Bar Association) Minority Bar Committee, Western Region Social Gathering
November 2, 2022
Fogo de Chao, 525 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA
An informal evening for fellowship, collegiality, and fun:
PBA President, Jay N. Silberblatt, PBA Secretary, Jacqueline B. MartinezMBC Co-chair
Anthony D. Cox, MBC Co-Chair Su Ming Yeh
ACBA Diversity Law Student Reception
October 18, 2022
Koppers Building, Pittsburgh, PA
A Kick off event – diverse students invited to attend a reception and mingle with
attorneys and judges
ACBA 1L/1E, Summer Clerkship Program Information Session/Making Meaningful Connections
October 26, 2022
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Law School Mentoring Program for diverse/underrepresented
first-year students
A national organization of more than 400 corporate general counsel and law firm managing
partners to support the success of diverse students. Mentees are partnered with experienced
lawyers in their city.
Meet the Leaders of Commissions, presented by the PBA Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Team
October 24, 2022
Virtual event
This DEI Team advises Governor Tom Wolf on issues related to various traditionally
underrepresented constituencies:
Luz B. Colon, Latino Affairs; Moriah Hathaway, Women Affairs; LaDeshia Maxwell, African
American Affairs; Henry Sias, LGBTQ Affairs; Stephanie Sun, Asian Pacific American
Affairs
Black Law Student Organization, Bonfire, Putt Putt, and Music Event
October 21, 2022
Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA
This was a celebration of camaraderie while enjoying togetherness and support.
Celebrate Sukkot with Jewish Law Student Association
October 13, 2022
Duquesne Kline School of Law
This was a celebration ceremony outside the law school with Rene Balderas and Rabbi
Shmuel Weinstein.
Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Speaker Series Month, virtual
Cristina Carrasco, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, When Cooking Becomes
Political: Documenting Spaces of Resistance by Latinx Chefs, September 27, 2022
Solange Munoz, University of Tennessee, infrastructure framework to explore the migratory
strategies and experiences of Latin American woman and mothers who were forced to
migrate, October 12, 2022
Black Law Student Association, Networking, Tips & Tricks for Building Key Relationships
for Legal Careers
October 5, 2022
Duquesne Kline Law School
Lawyers from various law firms attended.
Black Law Student Organization, first year law students, Resume and Cover Letter Workshop
October 19, 2022 Duquesne Kline School of Law
Assisted by the Career Service Office
Diversity Luncheon
September 27, 2022
Duquesne Kline School of Law
Bobbi Britton Tucker, Partner at Cozen O’Connor, guest speaker
Diversity and Inclusion In the Profession: Past, Present, and the Future, sponsored
by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
September 15, 2022
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, US Steel Building, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh,
PA
Panelists explored the importance of promoting and increasing racial diversity and
inclusion in the profession and how to overcome barriers and full participation in
the practice of law.
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
named Roshni Master as the 2023 recipient of the Trial Skills Diversity Scholarship.
Duquesne University, led by the Holy Spirit and guided by its Catholic values, is
committed to fostering and maintaining authentic relationships with every person.
In support of this commitment, the University has implemented a process that enables
students, faculty, staff, and alumni who identify by a name other than their given
(legal) first name to use a chosen first name for University systems where a legal
name is not required ("Chosen First Name"). Learn more
According to Pronouns.org, "...often people make assumptions about the gender of another person based on the person’s appearance
or name. These assumptions aren’t always correct, and the act of making an assumption (even if correct) sends a potentially harmful message
that people have to look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or
are not."
Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University. The 2022
dinner was hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.
