A decade ago, seven lawyers concerned about diversity in the Philadelphia Bar got together and resolved to do something about it. The “steering committee” they formed gave way to the Philadelphia Law Diversity Group—a not-for-profit that today has 37 law firm and corporate members. In September 2011, the group held a 10th anniversary luncheon honoring its founders. He could not be present, so it was in March 2012 that co-founder Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III, now President of Arcadia University, received the award for his earlier work with PDLG.

“Tobey Oxholm was a catalyst in the creation of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group without whom the organization may have never come to exist. I was pleased to present the Founders Award to Tobey to recognize his significant contributions to the PDLG,” says Lilton (Tony) Taliaferro Jr., Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Independence Blue Cross and Co-President of the PDLG. “Today, the PDLG continues to pursue the mission identified by its founders of increasing the number of diverse attorneys practicing at law firms and corporate law departments in the greater Philadelphia region.”

Among other initiatives, PDLG creates programs to enhance recruitment and retention of lawyers of diverse backgrounds by law firms and corporations in the region. In collaboration with area educational institutions, governments, professional associations and businesses, it develops initiatives and programs that will support the success of these lawyers and encourage them to come to and practice law in Philadelphia. President Oxholm has continued his commitment to diversity at Arcadia, focusing one of the four Leadership IDEA Task Forces on diversity and community engagement.