Pathways to Leadership Program
Are you an ACBA member who values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and wants to impact the Pittsburgh Legal or your local community through leadership? If so, the ACBA Committee on Diversity and Inclusion's Pathway to Leadership Program (PTLP) is for you.
*2025-26 applications are closed.
Purpose
The PTLP aims to create a pipeline of talented, diverse attorneys who serve in leadership professionally, in the ACBA, and in their local communities. PTLP is an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the Association, develop leadership and professional skills, and gain exposure to the pathways to positions on the bench, nonprofit boards, or government, while making connections with other diverse attorneys. The PTL Cohort aims to provide members with personalized career development to increase diverse attorney representation in the ACBA as active members and leaders, prepare diverse attorneys for leadership roles in firms, law departments, and government entities, and prepare those interested in ascension to and service in elected and appointed positions.
To participate, Cohort members must have a Juris Doctor degree and employment history in law or another industry. Additionally, members will be evaluated on diversity based on life experience, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status, and desire to gain leadership skills in the ACBA and community. The Pathways to Leadership Program application process is open to all ACBA members.
Programming
The PTLP year runs annually from September to June. The programs identified for the PTL Cohort fit into the following pillars, developed by the PTLP workgroup: The Importance of Mentors and Sponsors in Career Development; Education on DEI Leadership in the community; Immersion into ACBA events and programs; and Collaborating with Substantive Committees and Sections for Leadership Opportunities.
To graduate from the PTLP, participants must complete 80 percent of the Cohort events and requirements by April of their cohort cycle.
Cohort Events (Dates and times subject to change)
2026-27 Pathways to Leadership schedule to be determined.
Cohort Requirements
- Attend one (1) ACBA substantive section, board, or affinity group meeting
- Attend one (1) Board of Governors meeting
- Attend one (1) ACBA holiday party
- Attend one (1) PTL Cohort partner program (e.g., PLDIC)
- Attend one (1) CDI-specific program
- Complete reflection assignment by March 19
- Meet with the assigned mentor by April 30
Cohort members are responsible for self-reporting attendance and participation in activities to the PTLP Chair(s). Members will not earn credit for activities not reported.