Recognizing and honoring the dedicated and loyal service of Diana Cortes, Esquire.

WHEREAS, Diana Cortes earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and her law degree from Villanova University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduation from law school, Diana Cortes began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Juan R. Sánchez of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Diana Cortes then took a position as an attorney at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP in its Litigation Department and handled commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense matters; and

WHEREAS, From 2013 to 2015, Diana Cortes worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Juvenile Division, where she prosecuted felony jury trials; and

WHEREAS, Diana Cortes then joined Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggi, P.C. in its Professional Liability Department, where she represented municipalities, school districts, and police officers in civil rights litigation involving excessive force, wrongful arrest, due process violations, and malicious prosecution cases; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, Diana Cortes left private legal practice and joined the City’s Law Department as the Chair of Litigation; and

WHEREAS, On December 11th, 2020, Mayor James Kenney appointed Diana Cortes as City Solicitor. In February 2021, City Council confirmed her appointment, making her the first Latina City Solicitor in the City’s more than three-hundred-year history; and

WHEREAS, As City Solicitor, Diana Cortes led the Law Department’s efforts to address gun violence through litigation; settled major lawsuits against opioid manufacturers perpetuating addiction, resulting in the City receiving over $200 million in the next 15 years; worked to preserve affordable housing and protect vulnerable City residents; prosecuted those who cause environmental damage and public nuisance; and spearheaded efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and

WHEREAS, On November 10th, 2023, Diana Cortes will depart from her position as City Solicitor to return to the litigation team at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA hereby recognizes and honors the pioneering and dutiful service of Diana Cortes, Esquire in her role as chief legal counsel to the City of Philadelphia. We commend Solicitor Cortes for her legal expertise and commitment to serving the residents of Philadelphia with integrity and extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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