On July 24 and 25, the Law Department hosted its 31st annual Life in the Big City CLE Conference.

Over two days, around 350 attorneys and legal professionals gathered to obtain their mandatory continuing legal education requirements through an engaging agenda of courses curated by Law Department attorneys.  

With representation from the Law Department, City Council, the Board of Ethics, the Police Department, the Managing Director’s Office, the Department of Labor, the Department of Revenue, and other crucial City stakeholders and elected officials provided a comprehensive and consistent educational experience across City agencies that often work in collaboration.  

Topics covered throughout the conference included the role of AI in the practice of law, the process of historical preservation in Philadelphia, equitable practices in child welfare and beyond, an overview of defamation law, preemption and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, and successful local government initiatives.  

And Mayor Cherelle Parker made a surprise appearance and spoke in praise of City attorneys and their legal work on major projects such as Riverview Wellness Village, emergency response after the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia, the 2024 election, and recent labor contract negotiations.  

During the lunchtime program, the Honorable Arianna J. Freeman, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, spoke with City Solicitor Renee Garcia about her career journey, what motivates her in public service, and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the Third Circuit. She also answered the most important question of the day – two spaces after a period.   

The Law Department looks forward to hosting it’s 32nd iteration of the Life in the Big City Conference, taking place July 23-24, 2026.  

 

The CLE Awards ceremony recognized attorneys and professional staff members in the Law Department who were nominated by their colleagues for their outstanding work and dedication to public service. Congratulations to the following awards recipients:   

 

LONGEVITY: This award is presented to a member of the Department who has remained with the Department for an extended period, demonstrating a commitment to the Law Department’s operations.   

  • Angela Yancey, Deputy City Solicitor, Child Welfare Unit – 27 years, since 1998 
  • Daniel Cantú-Hertzler, Senior Attorney, Commercial Law Unit – 26 years, since 1999 
  • Paul Gianfrancesco, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Health + Adult Services Unit – 26 years, since 1999 
  • Jacqueline Crowell, Senior Legal Assistant, Civil Rights Unit – 26 years, since 1999 

 

CREATIVITY: This award is presented to a member of the Department who challenges the status quo and develops innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and achieve a desirable outcome for the Law Department or its clients.  

  • Mary-Kate Martin, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Tax Litigation + Collections Unit 
  • Kathleen Kim, Senior Attorney, Child Welfare Unit 

 

TEAM PLAYER: This award is presented to a member of the Department who consistently supports and facilitates the contributions of others in their teams. This person positively impacts morale, can be relied on to help for the good of their coworkers despite their own workload.  

  • Austin Miller, Assistant City Solicitor, Tort Litigation Unit 
  • Philip Jones, Deputy City Solicitor, Commercial Law Unit  
  • Joseph Ramuno, Human Resources Assistant  
  • Brian Zesdorn, Data Services Support Clerk, Health + Adult Services Unit 
  • Ashley Turner, Senior Legal Assistant, Executive Office  
  • Brian Mera, Office Manager, Tax Litigation + Collections Unit  

 

COLLABORATION: This award is presented to a member of the Department who facilitates equal participation within their team, working group, or other members of the Department, and who shares knowledge or resources to advance the work of the Department. This member effectively communicates with others.  

  • Ryan Smith, Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative + Special Litigation Unit 
  • Michael Pfautz, Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative + Special Litigation Unit 
  • Megan Malone, Assistant City Solicitor, Labor + Employment Unit 

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE: This award is presented to a member of the Department who demonstrates a commitment to community(ies) through devoting time to acts of service, advocacy, and/or education over and above their duties at the Department.  

  • Jacqueline Bethea, Human Resources Specialist 
  • Mathieu O’Brien, Deputy City Solicitor, Health + Adult Services Unit 

 

MENTORSHIP: This award is presented to a member of the Department who through a sustained professional relationship shares their knowledge, skill, and expertise with others less experienced in a subject area and who provides guidance, constructive feedback and encouragement to promote growth, development and confidence in a mentee(s).  

  • Luisa Garcia, Deputy City Solicitor, Child Welfare Unit 
  • Sonia Lee, Senior Attorney, Commercial Law Unit 
  • Reynelle Staley, Senior Attorney, Legislation + Legal Counsel Unit 

 

IMPACT: This award is presented to a member of the Department who in the pursuit of excellence has achieved outstanding outcomes that surpass their job duties and positively affect processes or conditions in the Law Department, for its clients, or Philadelphia residents.    

  • Jennifer MacNaughton, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Appeals Unit 
  • Lakeisha Fields, Senior Attorney, Child Welfare Unit 

 

CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY: This award recognizes and honors a current or former Law Department employee who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to upholding and advocating for diversity, inclusion, and equity within and outside the Law Department community. 

  • Desjeneé Davis, Deputy City Solicitor, Civil Rights Unit 

 

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE: This certificate recognizes two individuals who have dedicated their careers in service of the people of Philadelphia through their work in the Law Department. As they approach retirement, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for their contributions to Philadelphia’s legal community and to the City of Philadelphia over the years. We hope they will carry their experiences from the Law Department into the next chapter of their life, and we certainly will miss them here!  

  • Nicole Osborn, Administrative Assistant, Affirmative + Special Litigation Unit – 37 years, since 1988 
  • Deirdre Thurston, Data Service Support Clerk, Tort Litigation Unit – 20 years, since 2005 

 

RECOGNITION OF LONGTERM SERVICE OF THE DEI COMMITTEE: 

This recognition was presented by the DEI Committee to Dan Cantu-Hertzler, Senior Attorney in the Commercial Law Unit, as he approaches his retirement. Dan has been a DEI Committee Member since 1999. For 26 years, Dan has been integral to the committee’s goals, mission and impact throughout the Law Department. 

 

CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS:  

  • Zita Jackson, Senior Legal Assistant in the Social Services Group 
  • Shanita Walker, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Office 
  • Bryce Greene, Legal Assistant in the Appeals Unit 
  • Aimee Desjardins, Legal Assistant in the Executive Office 
  • Marta Sanchez, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Office 
  • Catherina (Nina) DePaz, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Office 
  • Ashley Turner, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Office 
  • Kadidja Nanakasse, DEI Coordinator 
  • Elena Barrera-Waters, DEI Coordinator  
  • Matt Tacuri, Office Clerk 
  • Christopher Muller, Office Clerk 
  • Bonny Lynch, Deputy Director of Administration for Operations  
  • David Torres, Director of Administration 
  • Ava Schwemler, Director of Communications  
  • Meghan Goddard, First Deputy City Solicitor 
  • Tianna Kalogerakis, Director of Professional Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

And our CLE Coordinators:  

  • Aniya Jones, Assistant City Solicitor, Commercial Law Unit 
  • Rachel Rosser, Senior Attorney, Commercial Law Unit 
  • Kristin Pachell, Deputy City Solicitor, Code + Public Nuisance Litigation Unit 
  • Omar Rabady, Deputy City Solicitor, Right-to-Know Unit 
  • Paola Figueroa, Deputy City Solicitor, Child Welfare Unit 
  • Danielle Newsham, Assistant City Solicitor, Commercial Law Unit 
  • Craig Gottlieb, Senior Attorney, Appeals Unit 
  • Shoba Babu, Assistant City Solicitor, Tax Litigation + Collections Unit 
  • Blake Andres, Assistant City Solicitor, Real Estate + Development Unit 
  • Chris D’Amore, Deputy City Solicitor, Labor + Employment Unit 
  • André Brown, Assistant City Solicitor, Tax Litigation + Collections Unit 
  • Jeremy Giatras, Deputy City Solicitor, Tort Litigation Unit