HARRISBURG (Oct. 19, 2009) - New challenges lawyers are facing as a result of the economic downturn and how initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession are faring during the turmoil are among the issues to be addressed during the Pennsylvania Bar Association Minority Bar Committee's fourth annual Diversity Summit. The full-day session, "Banking on Diversity in Tough Economic Times," is set for Oct. 29 at the new Lancaster County Convention Center. Simulcast locations are available in Erie, Pittsburgh and Stroudsburg.

Temple University Beasley School of Law professor David Kairys, a distinguished academician and former civil rights lawyer, will provide keynote remarks.

A series of thought-provoking panel discussions will follow. Sam Cooper, president of the Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL), will moderate one panel composed of representatives from county bars from different parts of the state. Sharon Lopez of the Lancaster Bar Association will bring together the deans of Widener, Drexel and the University of Pittsburgh law schools to address the issue of diversity at law schools. Pittsburgh-based law firm consultant Carl Cooper and Tyrone Powell of the Dauphin County Bar Association will moderate panel discussions with law firm managing partners and key leaders who will share their perspectives on diversity and inclusion.

Attendees can earn up to five ethics CLE credit hours.

More information, including the session's agenda and registration form, is posted on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Web site, http://www.pabar.org. To register by phone, contact Louann Bell at the Pennsylvania Bar Association, 800-932-0311, ext. 2276.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.