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To develop awareness of the issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, Schnader presents continuing education training throughout the year and participates in diversity conferences and innovative programs. Some of our recent activities include:

The Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers’ First Program on Diversity (2022)

The Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers hosted its first annual Program on Diversity on September 21, Gender Equality in the Legal Profession. The panel presentation was hosted by a distinguished group, including Schnader’s Keith E. Whitson, discussing why and how to advance gender equity in the workplace.

DEI Lunch and Learns (2022)

Schnader organized and held firm-wide “lunch and learns” in our continuing effort to learn about, and gain exposure to, the lives of different communities, the hardships and discrimination they face, and how we can help. During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month in May of 2022, we held a presentation about the history of anti-Asian racism in the U.S. and a program about a recent report on the state of anti-Semitism issued by the American Jewish Congress.

Antidiscrimination and Sensitivity Training (2022)

Lisa Rodriguez, co-chair of our DEI Committee, Firm Ombudsperson, and managing partner of our Cherry Hill, New Jersey office, attended this training sponsored by the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey.

California Minority Counsel Program’s In-Session Conference (2022)

Jennifer Thai, partner in our San Francisco office, participated in this program, which focused on trends in the legal industry, the effect on DEI issues, and strategies for retaining attorneys of color.

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebrations

In each of our offices, attorneys and staff participate in these annual programs.

Eradicate Hate Global Summit (2021)

Schnader participated in the Eradicate Hate Global Summit 2021. Judge Timothy Lewis, co-chair of our ADR Practice Group, spoke at the Summit on potential criminal remedies used to combat hate crimes.

The Appellate Project

Schnader supports this initiative designed to build diversity in the field of appellate law. Judge Timothy Lewis serves on the Project’s advisory board.

Small Actions, Big Impact: Developing Skills to Become an Effective Ally (2021)

Keith Whitson, managing partner of our Pittsburgh Office, participated in a presentation for the Homer S. Brown Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association on how to be an effective ally.

Toward a Culture of Inclusion (2020-2021)

A number of our Pittsburgh-based attorneys and staff participated in the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition’s “Toward a Culture of Inclusion” year-long program. The initiative included presentations, facilitated conversations about race, small group discussions, and ideas for use in the participants’ workplaces. The program culminated in participants achieving “Ally Ready” certification.

Career Advocate Program (2019-2021)

The managing partner of our Pittsburgh office helped to plan the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition’s Career Advocate Program, and led the training for participants in 2019. Schnader’s Pittsburgh office is one of five organizations serving as a model for the initial implementation of the program, which focuses on mentoring diverse and women attorneys with at least four years of professional experience.

International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“CPR”) (2019)

Judge Timothy Lewis received CPR’s 2019 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity in ADR.

Philadelphia Diversity Law Group (PDLG) Symposium (2018)

Schnader was involved in the 2018 Symposium for PDLG, held at The Union League in Philadelphia. The event was titled, “Diversity in the First Chair: Symposium on Women and Diverse Lawyers in the Courtroom and Boardroom.” Albert S. Dandridge, III, chair of Schnader’s Securities Practice Group, co-chaired the planning committee for the Symposium. Ralph G. Wellington, co-chair of Schnader’s Alternative Dispute Resolution group, participated in a panel discussion about “A View from Male Attorney Mentors and Women and Diverse Mentees.” Hon. Timothy K. Lewis, also co-chair of Schnader’s ADR Practice Group, introduced the special guest luncheon speaker, Hon. Shira Scheindlin, Retired District Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. More details about the Symposium are here.

Development of “Youth Court” for Manchester Academic Charter School (2016-2018)

Schnader assisted the Manchester Academic Charter School in creating and running a “youth court,” which uses the principles of restorative justice to address school disciplinary matters. The students serve both as advocates and judges in hearings to address student infractions with the goal of restoring all participants into the school community.

PDLG Fellows Program Alumni Conference (2017)

Schnader is a founding member of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group (PDLG), which encourages and supports diversity in the practice of law. PDLG’s Fellows Program provides summer associate placements to diverse law students. The 2017 conference featured Fellows Program alumni, who shared their insights and discussed key career development strategies. Albert S. Dandridge, III moderated a “Panel of Stars,” who discussed their legal careers.

The Art of the Pitch (2017)

Through PDLG’s Art of the Pitch program, diverse attorneys gave a mock pitch before the general counsel of major corporations. Schnader participants received feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands (2016)

Schnader welcomed Terri Morrison, co-author of five books on global business, including Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, on June 2, 2016. Ms. Morrison spoke about the importance of understanding diverse cultures and their business etiquette in order to succeed in the global marketplace and to develop talent within the organization.

Diversity & Inclusion Symposium (2015)

In 2015, PDLG presented a Diversity & Inclusion Symposium titled, “Best Practices for Retaining & Promoting Diverse Talent.” Albert S. Dandridge, III served as moderator for a panel, “The Roles Leaders Play: How to be Part of the Solution,” and he spoke at the closing plenary. The Symposium also featured discussions on implicit bias and generational diversity.

Subtle, Unconscious, and Implicit Bias (2015)

During Schnader’s annual attorney retreat, the Honorable Timothy K. Lewis, Albert S. Dandridge, III, Theresa E. Loscalzo, and William H. Brown presented a training session, “Subtle, Unconscious, and Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession.” The discussion focused on best practices to overcome bias in work assignments, client development opportunities, mentoring and sponsoring relationships, performance evaluations, and compensation.

Unconscious Bias (2015)

On September 21, 2015, globally renowned diversity specialist, Ritu Bhasin, presented a workshop to the Firm on “Unconscious Bias.” Using neuroscience research to support her thesis, she addressed specific biases and blind spots that manifest in legal environments, including the “stereotype effect,” and its impact on women and diverse lawyers and staff.

Gender Pay Equity (2014)

Schnader hosted a panel discussion titled, “Gender Pay Equity in Compensation: Why it Matters – What to Do About It.” The program addressed the recommendations from two 2013 reports by the ABA Presidential Task Force on Gender Equity: “Closing the Gap: A Road Map for Achieving Gender Pay Equity in Law Firm Partner Compensation;” and “Power of the Purse: How General Counsel Can Impact Pay Equity for Women Lawyers.” Panelists included Roberta Liebenberg, chair of Fine, Kaplan and Black; Katherine Hatton, general counsel for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Sophia Lee, former chief counsel for litigation at Sunoco; and Susan Letterman White of Letterman White Consulting. Following the presentation there was a discussion of Schnader’s policies and opportunities for improvement.

Diversity in the Legal Profession (2013)

Schnader and the Philadelphia Bar Association co-hosted a day-long “National Roundtable on Diversity in the Legal Profession.” Moderated by Albert S. Dandridge, III, the program featured Michael K. Tucker of Avis Budget Group, Jannie K. Lau of InterDigital, and Robin H. Sangston of Cox Communications, Inc. Topics included the business case for diversity and inclusion, benchmarks to measure success, cultural competency, subtle and unconscious bias, and best practices for the retention and advancement of women and diverse attorneys.

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The Higher Calling Of The Law Requires...

Inclusion. When Pennsylvania Attorney General William Schnader left politics and sought to return to private practice in Philadelphia, he discovered that no major Philadelphia law firms would hire his protégé, Bernard Segal, a Jewish attorney. In response, in 1935, William Schnader, Bernard Segal and Francis Lewis formed a new law firm, Schnader & Lewis -- the first religiously integrated law firm in Philadelphia.

Innovation. Because Schnader was religiously integrated from its founding, many local clients in the Philadelphia area would not retain the firm in the 1930s and 1940s. Accordingly, the firm sought to represent larger, national companies.

Vision. Firm founder William Schnader was president of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, which drafted and developed the Uniform Commercial Code. He successfully campaigned for the Code's adoption in 49 states.

The pursuit of freedom. At the request of President Truman, firm founder Earl Harrison, as Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, toured displaced persons camps at the end of World War II and recommended to the President that displaced persons in Europe be permitted to resettle in Palestine. His report was a major factor that led to American support for the establishment of Israel.

The pursuit of justice. Firm founder Earl Harrison testified on behalf of an African-American student denied entry to the University of Texas School of Law because of his race. The case challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine, as applied to state law schools and laid the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court eventually overturned the lower courts' decisions and ordered the University of Texas to admit qualified black applicants.

Courage. Firm founder Bernard Segal convinced the Philadelphia bar to defend nine accused Communists pro bono. The defendants were convicted but their cases were thrown out on appeal. As a result, the Justice Department abandoned Smith Act prosecutions across the country.

The pursuit of justice. When George Wallace threatened to block integration of the University of Alabama, Schnader’s Bernard Segal drafted a statement in opposition. He and Jerome Shestack called lawyers all over the country requesting their support. The statement was published in the Birmingham News with 53 prominent lawyer signatories and provided support for President Kennedy's Executive Order federalizing the Alabama National Guard.

The pursuit of justice. In the wake of George Wallace's efforts to impede the integration of the University of Alabama, and at the urging of Schnader’s Bernard Segal, President Kennedy convened 244 lawyers at the White House to ask them to move the battle for civil rights and racial equality to the courts. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law was born and Jerome Shestack became its full-time executive director while continuing to practice at Schnader.

Inclusion. Firm founder Bernard Segal was chair of the ABA’s Committee on the Federal Judiciary. He advocated the appointment of federal judges of all genders and races.

Inclusion. Firm founder Bernard Segal was the first Jewish person to serve as Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He encouraged the bar into public service and expanded its racial horizons.

Inclusion. Schnader was one of the first major Philadelphia firms to hire a female attorney.

Diversity. Schnader was a founding member of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, which aims to increase the number of diverse attorneys in-house and in private practice.

Inclusion. The firm appointed Albert Dandridge as Chief Diversity Officer and charged him with increasing and developing our bench of diverse attorneys.

Service. The firm adopted Caton Village (now closed), a halfway house for women in Philadelphia, where we provided free legal clinics and social and educational activities for its residents.

Service. Schnader lawyers regularly represent undocumented children who were abused or abandoned by their parents. We help these children obtain guardians, stop removal proceedings, and begin the path to citizenship.

Service. As U.S. veterans waited an average of four years for a ruling on the denial of their disability benefits, Schnader attorneys led a campaign advocating for a solution to address the backlog.

The pursuit of justice. Schnader attorneys represented Guantanamo Bay detainees, advocating for fair treatment and due process against a byzantine legal landscape.

Service. With a nonprofit partner, Schnader attorneys and staff designed and taught a pilot life skills seminar for young adults aging out of the foster care system. The program included lessons on securing vital documents, opening a bank account, looking for jobs and going to an interview.

Service. Schnader attorneys help middle school students in Pittsburgh set up a youth court, prepare for mock trials and draft a bill of rights for their school. The students learn about Constitutional law, advocacy and restorative justice from participating in these programs.

Service. Bernard Segal, a founder of the firm, believed that Schnader's hallmark is its "dedication to the higher calling of the law," which he defined as "the lawyer's obligation to assume an active role in the pursuit of a just and ordered society, in helping to solve the emerging problems of social, economic and political importance, and to serve the public as his or her client, as she or he would serve a full-paying client."