Linda Margolies Salem Honored with 2024 Richard Pearson Award for Excellence in Legal Professional Development

Posted on Oct. 01, 2025

August 1, 2025 (McLean, VA) The Professional Development Consortium (PDC) proudly announces Linda Margolies Salem, Director of Learning & Development – U.S. at Reed Smith LLP, as the recipient of the 2024 Richard Pearson Award, PDC’s highest honor recognizing excellence in legal professional development.

Chosen from a competitive pool of nominees nationwide, Margolies Salem was honored in front of her peers at the 2025 PDC Summer Conference in Chicago.

Her nominators praised her for pioneering one of the first comprehensive “university-style” professional development structures within a law firm, encompassing legal skills, leadership, technology, business development, and staff training. This innovative framework has remained largely unchanged for nearly two decades, a testament to its enduring value.

Her commitment to mentoring is exemplified by the Careers Advisors program she developed, ensuring every associate is paired with a partner advisor focused on their personal growth and career trajectory.

A lifelong learner, Linda actively explores emerging trends, engages in firm-wide development initiatives, and continually seeks new knowledge, embodying the spirit of innovation and growth that defines the Richard Pearson Award.

The Richard Pearson Award is presented annually to a distinguished professional who exemplifies excellence, innovation, and leadership in advancing legal professional development.

About the Professional Development Consortium (PDC): The PDC is an association of individuals working at law firms, law schools, government agencies, and corporations who are responsible for developing and administering training and professional development for lawyers. For more information, visit http://www.pdclegal.org or follow us on LinkedIn.