“As long-time participants in the LCLD Fellowship and Pathfinders Program, we have found that the lawyers chosen for the program develop skills of immeasurable importance to their professional development. Equally as important, they also assume a greater sense of responsibility as sponsors and mentors for their peers. ” said John Iino, Reed Smith’s Chief Diversity Officer. “This investment in our people and their growth is why we are dedicated to the LCLD’s mission and are very proud that Julia, Lora, and Amanda will represent the firm and our commitment to diversity and mentoring.”
The LCLD Fellowship Program is an intensive, yearlong professional development program that mentors the legal industry’s diversity leaders of tomorrow. Designed for lawyers with eight-to-fifteen years of experience, the LCLD Fellows Program connects high-potential attorneys with leading general counsel and managing partners.
The LCLD Pathfinders Program, now in its fifth year, is tailored for lawyers with three-to-five years of experience. The program provides practical tools for developing and leveraging professional networks, leadership skills, and career development strategies.
A well-regarded lawyer committed to diversity and inclusion within the firm and across the legal profession and recently promoted to partner in the firm’s Life Sciences Health Industry Group, Julia practices in the areas of product liability litigation and commercial litigation, defending pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Julia has experience working on single plaintiff matters, as well as coordinated cases and multidistrict litigation in both federal and state courts. In addition to her legal acumen, Julia is a tireless advocate for the equitable representation of people of color in law. She is the partner chair of UNIDOS, Reed Smith’s Hispanic / Latino Business Inclusion Group. She recently concluded her term as President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, where she remains on the board of trustees. She is also the Region III (NJ) President and Deputy National Finance Director for the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA). Julia has been recognized as a Top Lawyer under 40 by the HNBA, as one of New Jersey’s most influential attorneys on the NJBIZ Power 50 list, and among the Most Impactful People of Color in New Jersey.
Also in the Life Sciences Health Industry Group, Lora’s practice concentrates on product liability litigation and regulatory matters for life sciences clients. Her practice primarily focuses on complex pharmaceutical and medical device defense and advertising and promotion review. She is also a member of the Women’s Product Liability Health Team and the Digital Health & Med Tech Team, where she concentrates on artificial intelligence regulatory and litigation matters. Prior to joining Reed Smith, Lora spent more than a decade in leadership positions at a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company and nearly five years working for the federal government in research and development regulatory affairs as part of the Presidential Management Fellows Program. Specifically, she was one of ten fellows selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where she spent a year in the Office of General Counsel working on various matters, and three years at the National Cancer Institute engaged in transactional work. With a passion for making a difference, Lora was selected to serve on the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s board as a 2020 board observer. She also serves pro bono as advisory counsel for a local non-profit, and offers pro-bono legal assistance to a local non-profit organization through the Philadelphia VIP program. She also enjoys volunteering with organizations focused on improving the lives of underserved woman and girls and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Amanda, an associate in Reed Smith’s Labor & Employment practice, represents employers in litigation involving federal and state claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, violations of leave law, whistleblower allegations, and breach of contract claims, as well as labor arbitrations and collective bargaining. Amanda also advises clients on proactive litigation-avoidance strategies and various policy and procedure issues. Amanda is a member of Reed Smith’s Mental Health Task Force, which advises the firm on policies and practices, educational programming, services, resources, and awareness raising around issues of mental well-being. As the mother of a young child, Amanda advocates for female attorneys and attorneys with young children to help stem the attrition of talented attorneys and to increase the firm’s diversity and client service.
Reed Smith is among the original co-founders of the LCLD, which now includes more than 300 members comprising the general counsel of Fortune 500 corporations, along with the managing partners of the nation’s largest law firms. Additional information about the LCLD and the Fellow and Pathfinders programs can be found at LCLDnet.org.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our belief is that by delivering smarter and more creative legal services, we will not only enrich our clients’ experiences with us, but also support them in achieving their business goals.
Our long-standing relationships, international outlook, and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for the speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
