Woman of the Year and Recent Graduate of the Year honored at 34th annual event

The two awards have been given by the organization to many distinguished women in the legal profession for more than 30 years, including judges, prominent attorneys, professors, deans and authors. Duquesne Kline School of Law Dean April Barton recognized Deihl and Iwanenko for encompassing the highest ideals of the legal profession as well as leadership, service, integrity and sacrifice.

Deihl, a partner at SWMW/ Law in Pittsburgh, received the Woman of the Year Award at the packed event. She was honored to receive the recognition and is committed to continuing to be an example to other women in the law profession. 

“As a first-generation law student and a female who never had a female mentor, I’ve worked to provide to the younger generation what I did not have as I came up through my career. This recognition affirms that investing in others matters; mentoring junior lawyers and law students, advocating for equitable opportunities, and modeling ethical leadership can create lasting change. To me, the award is less about personal achievement and more about the women that I have connected with and who have supported me while I supported them; it represents a shared commitment to lifting others and advancing the profession. I accept this honor with gratitude and renewed determination to pay it forward,” she said.

Iwanenko was the recipient of the Recent Graduate of the Year Award. She is an immigration law attorney at Amicangelo & Theisen in Erie, Pa. She has never thought of her important work assisting others as a means of credit, but she is very grateful to receive the award.  

“I am truly honored. I have never done my job to be recognized. I have always done my job to help people through some of the most difficult and joyous times of their lives. It is encouraging to know that my work makes a difference and that others appreciate it,” she said. 

Of Deihl and Iwanenko, Barton said, “Both women are lawyer leaders who are exemplify service and dedication. They have made it their calling to assist others and are true examples of living Duquesne Kline School of Law’s Spiritan mission.”