The Litigation Group consists of six units.
Civil Rights Unit
The Civil Rights Unit (CRU) defends all lawsuits filed against the City and its employees in which it is alleged that an individual’s constitutionally-protected rights have been violated. Most of these cases are filed in federal court under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C 1983. Many of the cases involve Fourth Amendment claims brought against the Philadelphia Police Department, and Eighth Amendment claims asserted against the Philadelphia Prison System. CRU also represents the Department of Human Services when constitutional violations are alleged to arise out of DHS’ child welfare cases.
CRU provides legal advice to City departments on issues with potential civil rights implications and counsels City departments on policy issues. CRU also assists in ensuring training is properly conducted and that City personnel in all departments are aware of the constitutional limits of their authority.
Leadership

Anne began her legal career at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and then held consecutive federal clerkships for the Honorable L. Felipe Restrepo and the Honorable Gene E.K. Pratter. She then joined the Law Department as an Assistant City Solicitor for the Civil Rights Unit. Next, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Civil Litigation Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and then as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey. Anne is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Yale University. She is a NITA-certified advocate.