PDLG: Creating innovative programs for law students and lawyers

Established 2001

Our Mission

The Philadelphia Diversity Law Group (PDLG) is committed to fostering participation of lawyers of varied backgrounds and life experiences in the practice of law in the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond to make our legal profession stronger, more collaborative, and more responsive. To fulfill this mission, PDLG creates innovative programs to enhance recruitment, retention, advancement, and promotion of lawyers by law firms and corporate law departments and to build community and connections.

✓  Committed to fostering inclusion and participation at all levels

✓  Making the legal profession stronger and more productive

✓  Supporting and encouraging lawyers with varied backgrounds and life experiences

fellows-program-hero-v2

Congratulations
2025 Program Fellows

Key Events

Advocates & Protégés Program

Advocates/Protégés Program

The PDLG Advocate/Protégé Program encourages retention of lawyers of varied backgrounds and life experiences by helping them navigate a path to law firm partnership. PDLG will assist its member law firms in creating and implementing program of partner (Advocates) support and advocacy for participating senior-level associates (Protégés). After the program, Protégés should have a clearer insight on the path to partnership, an advocate to help guide them, and valuable business development/relationship skills that will strengthen and lengthen their careers at their firms.

2025 Fellows Program

2025 Fellows Program

The PDLG Fellows Program offers first-year law students of varied backgrounds and life experiences a route to summer employment at outstanding law firms and legal departments.  It also provides the PDLG Fellows with a series of seminars and programs designed to enhance their skills and increase their knowledge of the Philadelphia legal community.

2025 Boot Camp

2025 Law School Boot Camp

 Each year, PDLG presents its Law School Boot Camp to help demystify law school for entering law students.  Open to all incoming 1Ls, Boot Camp is especially useful for those who do not have friends or family members who are lawyers or law students.  Boot Camp provides a taste of the first year law courses (taught by professors who teach those courses), guidelines on doing law school well and a panel discussion of the many careers are open to those with law degrees.

Event Spotlight

2024 Boot Camp

In August, PDLG’s 15th annual Law School Boot Camp helped prepare incoming law students from area law schools by providing a taste of first-year law school classes, guidance on succeeding in law school, and an introduction to law school alumni with varied careers.

Our Members

Contact Us

Membership and General Information

John Lee, Esq., Co-President

Jerome Maddox, Esq., Co-President

PDLG Fellows Program & Law School Bootcamp:

Lois Kimbol, Esq., Vice President of Programs