Sidnee McDonald, an associate in Cozen O'Connor's Labor and Employment Department, has been named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) at its Annual Members Meeting. The award honors a member who has made exceptional contributions through volunteer work.
Ena Lebel, PLDIC executive director, described McDonald as “someone I can call upon for any event … and she always says yes!” McDonald serves on the Young Professionals Advisory Board of the PLDIC and has become increasingly involved in initiatives promoting diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. She played a key role in organizing a mock trial competition with teens from the Boys & Girls Club, creating a six-week program that provided students with a realistic and inspiring experience of the legal system and profession.
McDonald concentrates her practice on labor and employment. She has experience advising and counseling clients on many employment matters, including compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and drafting independent contractor, master service, and employment agreements. She also has experience drafting position statements and motions to dismiss, responding to discovery requests, reviewing employee handbooks, and conducting workplace investigations. McDonald is a mentor for Pursuing the Esquire and the Penn State Law Minority Mentor Program and is an active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association serving in various leadership roles.
About the PLDIC
Founded in 2017, the PLDIC creates a culture of inclusion and highlights diversity successes and initiatives in the Pittsburgh legal community. The PLDIC aims to educate and assist Pittsburgh area legal employers in increasing the hiring, retention, and inclusion of legal professionals from diverse backgrounds.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.