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!