Porzio Welcomes Paula T. Edgar, Esq. in Celebration of Black History Month

On February 15, 2017, Porzio's Workplace Diversity Committee hosted its annual Black History Month luncheon and presentation for firm employees. The presenter for this year's event was Paula T. Edgar, Esq., Founder and Principal of PGE LLC and President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. 

Paula led a discussion on "Accepting the Call of Leadership." She reminded a captive audience of attorneys and personnel alike that, "we can all be leaders." It is important to acknowledge both one's strengths and weaknesses, to strive to continue to learn and grow every day, and to build up others as well along the journey. 

Paula pursued a career in the law after September 11, 2001, when she lost her mother, Joan Donna Griffith, in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Since then, Paula has demonstrated leadership in the areas of professional development, social media strategy, diversity and inclusion, and diversity pipeline best practices. 

Currently active with a number of organizations and social justice initiatives, Paula serves as the President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the immediate past Chair of the New York City Bar Association's Diversity Pipeline Initiatives Committee, and as a member of the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) Alumni Board. Paula is also a Trustee of the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation and a member of the Executive Committees of the Deerfield Academy Alumni Association and the Network of Bar Leaders.

Paula’s professional experiences include serving as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at New York Law School, the Associate Director of Career Services at Seton Hall University School of Law, and as the Executive Director of Practicing Attorneys for Law Students Program, Inc. (PALS). Prior to leading PALS, Paula practiced in the Law Enforcement Division of the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

Paula received her B.A. in Anthropology from the California State University (Fullerton) and her J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law. She has also been recognized by The Network Journal Magazine as a “40 Under Forty” Achievement Awardee, and as a Ms. JD “Woman of Inspiration.”