Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion to Be Presented to PBA Minority Bar Committee Minority Attorney Conference Planning Subcommittee

HARRISBURG (Nov. 13, 2020) — The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Minority Attorney Conference Planning Subcommittee of the Minority Bar Committee will receive the 2020 Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion from the PBA Diversity Team. The award will be presented during a virtual awards luncheon on Nov. 19 during Committee/Section Day.

Established in 2010, the PBA Diversity Team works collaboratively with PBA leadership, staff and all other PBA-related groups and entities to promote and enhance existing diversity initiatives and to assist with creating new opportunities. The award recognizes a PBA entity for outstanding efforts, contributions or service to promote diversity and inclusion in the association’s membership and for demonstrating commitment to and leadership in promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession.

The PBA Minority Attorney Conference Planning Subcommittee is being recognized for its outstanding efforts, contributions and service in the furtherance of the PBA Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan demonstrated in planning the committee’s 30th annual conference “Communities Under Attack: Leadership Going Forward” held in October 2019.

The nominator noted that “the subcommittee created an environment that eliminated barriers to communication and encouraged everyone’s contributions by including interactive programming, training and audience participation.”

Led by subcommittee co-chairs Marisa Harris Lattimore of Fort Washington, Rhodia D. Thomas of Harrisburg and Gina M. Thomas of Norristown, the committee worked with a high amount of energy, devotion and diligence to reach out and include a wide range of lawyer and judge speakers, and developed marketing and membership solicitation materials that were welcoming to diverse populations. The result was the strongest sponsorship participation year-to-date.

Program topics such as best practices regarding juror diversity issues and ethical issues faced by minority attorneys illustrated how the subcommittee promoted and demonstrated diversity and inclusion.

Subcommittee members being honored include:

Allegheny County

  • Jacqueline B. Martinez, JBM Legal LLC, Pittsburgh

  • Tony J. Thompson, Meyer Unkovic & Scott LLP, Pittsburgh

Dauphin County

  • Mike Sand, Harrisburg

  • Jessie Smith, Harrisburg

  • Rhodia D. Thomas, co-chair, Harrisburg

Erie County

  • Judge Stephanie Domitrovich, Erie County Court of Common Pleas, Erie

Lancaster County

  • Beverly H. Rampaul, Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office, Lancaster

Montgomery County

  • Marisa Harris Lattimore, co-chair, Fort Washington

  • Gina M. Thomas, co-chair, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, Norristown

Philadelphia County

  • Charles Eppolito III, past PBA president, White and Williams LLP, Philadelphia

  • Carlton Johnson, Archer & Greiner PC, Philadelphia

  • Tsiwen Law, Law & Associates LLC, Philadelphia

  • Tyesha Miley, SEPTA, Philadelphia

  • Wesley R. Payne IV, White and Williams LLP, Philadelphia

  • Nigel Scott, Aegis Law LLC, Philadelphia

Out of State

  • Antoinette Hubbard, Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC, Wilmington, Del.

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 of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state’s largest organized bar association.