The third annual AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event serves to highlight and showcase some of the most diverse and impactful young professionals across the Philadelphia region. 

At this year's event, taking place Friday, Aug. 26, Stephen Kulp will be one of the 40 honorees. 

Biography 

Stephen Kulp is an accomplished litigator with a proven track record of success managing complex civil litigation matters for a variety of sectors. This includes the transportation and logistics, construction, and retail and hospitality industries. His pragmatic and solutions-focused representation has resulted in substantial victories for his clients in both the courtroom and through motion practice.

Kulp is also a committed advocate outside the courtroom, currently serving as Chair of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association — the first Asian American to chair the organization. As Chair, he has tripled new membership rates and built the Association's impact in the community. 

He also serves on the Board of Governors for the Philadelphia Bar Association, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and Drexel University Kline School of Law’s Alumni Council. He's also the co-chair of the Asian American Adoptee Committee for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a member of the judicial recommendations and review committee for the Philadelphia chapter of the American Constitution Society. 

As part of the lead-up to the AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event, AL DÍA asked each of the honorees a set of identical questions and collected their responses. 

Here are Stephen Kulp's responses: 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your professional career? 

Coming out professionally. 

What are steps that can be taken to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in your industry? Why is it important to do so?

Investing time and money in DEI resources (e.g., ERGs, CLEs, committees, affinity groups, and diversity pipelines).  

What does being a leader mean to you? 

To me, leadership means advocacy in action. It means raising awareness for the LGBTQ+, AAPI and adoptee legal issues. It means asking questions and accounting for the answers.  It means honoring those who paved the way for folks like myself and uplifting the next generation of young leaders.   

As an LGBTQ+ attorney of color, it is my lived experience to be a bridge-builder. This unique perspective gave me a compassionate roadmap to be a powerful and determined leader. Powerful because I believe in the strength our community holds in the sum of us; determined because there is still so much work to be done.

This work takes courage, bravery, and a bit of grit, and my success as a leader is a credit to my colleagues at the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, APABA-PA, APALA-NJ, and NAPABA.

The 2022 AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will take place Friday, Aug. 26 at The Vie at Cescaphe. To learn more or purchase your ticket, click here.