Carl G. Cooper, B.S, Esquire

Advisor

Carl G. Cooper launched his Pittsburgh-based diversity consulting firm, Carl G. Cooper, Diversity Consultant, in May, 2007. Widely recognized as one of the first management-committee level chief diversity officers at a major law firm, Carl G. Cooper’s mission is not just local but national. As a Diversity Consultant, Mr. Cooper works with a law firm’s management committee and other firm personnel to design and implement an agenda that promotes, achieves and maintains a diverse workplace. As Diversity Consultant, Mr. Cooper opens and maintains direct lines of communication with disparate groups within the law firm to ensure that the interests and perspectives of all partners and employees are considered in firm decisions.

In addition, Mr. Cooper works with individuals and groups in the firm, however they may define themselves, by gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious faith, age, disability or otherwise to better enable the employer to meet their reasonable needs and aspirations. He focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on the ranks of professionals with the firm.

Mr. Cooper received his B.S. degree with a business administration major from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He completed his law degree from the Howard University School of Law.

Mr. Cooper’s career experience is extensive. He was a city attorney in Benton Harbor Michigan; a Teaching Fellow while at the Harvard Law School; an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; the Deputy Executive Director for Educational Programs, Association of Trial Lawyers of America; at the City University of New York School of Law at Queens College he was an Associate Professor; while in Philadelphia, he was Managing Partner of Eaton and McClellan; in Pittsburgh, he was an attorney with Joseph Williams, Attorney at Law before becoming the Manager (and later the Director) of the Real Estate Department of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh; he then became General Counsel for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority before becoming Chief Diversity Officer at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis.

Mr. Cooper’s professional and civic affiliations include membership in numerous agencies and associations such as the Allegheny County Bar Association, Homer S. Brown Law Association, National Bar Association, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association and House of Delegates for the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He also serves on several Boards, including the Allegheny County Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, A. G. Edwards, Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED), Rivers Club, and Greater Pittsburgh Diversity Festival. The Philadelphia native resides in Highland Park.