On July 23-24, 2026, the Law Department hosted its 32nd 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, provided free-of-charge, through an engaging agenda of courses curated by Law Department attorneys.   

We welcomed attendees from across the City of Philadelphia learned from panelists representing a range of legal perspectives from higher education and private practice to public service. Topics covered throughout the conference included recent rulings in both the U.S. and Pennsylvania Supreme Court, public health, civil litigation negotiations, urban revitalization, and the United States’ Semi Quincentennial and its legacy for lawyers.   

During the lunchtime program, former Senator Bob Casey spoke with City Solicitor Renee Garcia about public service and the future of the legal industry.  

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:    

CREATIVITY:  

  • Sarah Connor, Assistant City Solicitor in the Health & Adult Services Unit  
  • Elena Barrera-Waters, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator in the Executive Unit  
  • Krystal Charity, Assistant City Solicitor in the Labor & Employment Unit  

 

TEAM PLAYER:  

  • Christopher Johnson, Senior Attorney in the Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit   
  • Nicole Spann, Deputy Director of Administration for Finance in the Administrative Services Unit  
  • Shannon Thompson, Legal Assistant in the Health & Adult Services Unit   

 

COLLABORATION:  

  • Jacqueline Eklund, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Commercial Law Unit 
  • Yolanda Howard-Jeffers, Legal Assistant in the Boards & Commission Division 
  • Samuel Ritterman, Senior Attorney in the Labor & Employment Unit 

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  

  • Ellen Berkowitz, Senior Attorney in the Labor & Employment Unit 
  • Hannah Long-Bohorquez, Legal Assistant Supervisor in the Revenue Department 
  • Laurice Smith, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Water Department  

 

MENTORSHIP:  

  • Nina Rivera, Chief Deputy City Solicitor in the Regulatory Law Unit 
  • Vernisha Benitez, Legal Assistant in the Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit 

 

IMPACT:  

  • Jon Houlon, Chief Deputy City Solicitor in the Child Welfare Unit 
  • Jenna Jankowski, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Compliance Unit 
  • Joshua Hall, Investigative Analyst in the Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit 
  • Sam Scavuzzo, Chief of Staff in the Executive Unit 

 

CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY:  

  • Kadidja Nanakasse, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator in the Executive Unit 

 

LONGEVITY:  

  • Cynthia Schneider, Chief Deputy City Solicitor in the Compliance Unit 
  • Babette Pace, Legal Assistant in the Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit 
  • John Gambesci, Senior Attorney in the Child Welfare Unit 

 

CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS:  

  • Nina DePaz, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Unit 
  • Kadidja Nanakasse, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator in the Executive Unit 
  • Elena Barrera-Waters, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator in the Executive Unit 
  • Ashley Turner, Senior Legal Assistant in the Executive Unit 
  • Marta Sanchez, Senior Legal Assistant in the Compliance Unit 
  • Shanita Walker, Senior Legal Assistant in the Commercial Law Unit 
  • Bryce Greene, Legal Assistant in the Appeals Unit 
  • Aimee Desjardins, Legal Assistant in the Executive Unit 
  • Bridget Pownall, Executive Senior Legal Assistant to the Chair in the Child Welfare Unit 
  • David Torres, Director of Administration in the Administrative Services Unit 
  • Matt Tacuri, Clerk in the Administrative Services Unit 
  • Christopher Muller, Clerk in the Administrative Services Unit 
  • Bonny Lynch, Deputy Director of Administration for Operations in the Administrative Services Unit 
  • Ava Schwemler, Director of Communications in the Executive Unit 
  • Meghan Goddard, First Deputy City Solicitor in the Executive Unit 
  • Tianna Kalogerakis, Director of Professional Development, Diversity & Inclusion in the Executive Unit  

 

The Law Department looks forward to hosting its 33rd iteration of the Life in the Big City Conference in 2027!