The Law Department is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been selected to serve as 2023 Board Observers by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. The Board Observer program is a partnership between the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and its Young Lawyers Division and Delivery of Legal Services Committee.  

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation developed the Board Observer Program to give young lawyers in Philadelphia the opportunity to learn about local public interest legal service organizations and develop leadership skills necessary for board service and career success. Participants observe board meetings and functions, and participate in committees, programs and planning activities for a one-year period.  

We congratulate the following Law Department attorneys that have been selected to serve: 

Desjenee Davis, Assistant City Solicitor in the Code and Public Nuisance Litigation Unit

Desjenee has been selected as a Board Observer with the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation (ACCR).

Desjenee represents the City agencies and employees in affirmative and defensive matters before the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia Municipal Court, Tax Review Board and the Board of Licenses and Inspections. She is also a member of the DEI and Professional Development Committees. In addition to her work with the Law Department, she also serves as the Vice Chair of the Black Law Alumni Association of Kline and is an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Additionally, she has been named to The Legal Intelligencer’s Young Lawyer Editorial Board and also serves on the Executive Board of the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter.

Founded in 2010, ACCR is a death penalty and juvenile life without parole resource center serving the  Philadelphia and Delaware communities. To push forth their mission to confront injustice while combating racial and economic inequities, the organization provides an abundance of resources to defense attorneys and defendants. The organization provides litigation and case tracking services for advocates and defense teams. ACCR also offers training relating to capital defense through their monthly webinar which is free if not seeking CLE credits.

Brianna Dougherty, Assistant City Solicitor in the Commercial Law Unit, Finance & Contracts Division

Brianna has been selected as a Board Observer with The Clay Studio.

In addition to Brianna’s work in the Commercial Law Unit, she spends her time in ceramics and frequents art non-profits including: The Clay Studio, Drum Corps Association, Winter Guard International Percussion, Delaware Art Museum, and University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players. 

Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio is committed to ensuring the space, support, and inspiration necessary for expression and mastery in the ceramic arts. This non-profit educational institution offers a Resident Artist program for fine art graduates, classes for all levels, The Claymobile program to bring ceramics classes to Philadelphia schools, and curated galleries free to the public. Recently, The Clay Studio opened their brand-new building in South Kensington with the mission to incorporate the culturally rich neighborhood into the ceramics arts programs and build connections where all can flourish. 

Richard P. Lopez, Assistant City Solicitor in the Tort Litigation Unit’s Arbitration Division

Richard has been selected as a Board Observer with the Legal Clinic for the Disabled. 

Richard defends City agencies and employees in civil tort claims involving personal injury claims, motor vehicle accident claims, and property loss claims. Richard is also required to seek indemnification form contractual obligations of insurance companies and engage in affirmative litigation to recover judgements the City obtains from co-defendants. In addition to his work at the City, Richard is a board member on the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania and the HBA Legal Education Fund’s board. Richard also sits on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Criminal Inn of Court. 

The Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) was established in 1987 and provides free legal services to low-income people with disabilities and to the deaf and hard of hearing in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. The LCD assists victims of domestic violence, identity theft, and consumer fraud. LCD helps caregivers access healthcare for their children, writes wills, and powers of attorney. LCD trains health care staff and social workers to identify legal and social determinants to healthcare. LCD services help people who have suffered catastrophic injuries or illnesses like stroke, spinal cord or brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and AIDS and help them overcome legal barriers that impact their ability to live safely and independently in their communities. 

Jessica E. Rodriguez, Deputy City Solicitor in the Child Welfare Unit

Jessica has been selected as a Board Observer with HIAS Indigent Immigrant Legal Services.   

Jessica joined the Law Department in 2018 as a litigation attorney for the CWU.  In 2022, Jessica moved to her current position and represents the Philadelphia Office of Children and Families and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services on issues related to the intersection of law and policy.  Jessica also serves as a member on the Law Dept’s Professional Development Committee and on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee as a City Policy Committee liaison

Established in 1882, HIAS Pennsylvania (formerly known as the Association for Jewish Immigrants), provides legal and social services to low-income immigrants of all backgrounds as they establish and build lives in the US. HIAS provides wrap-around services for immigrants from their arrival in the US to citizenship in many cases.  HIAS, and its partners, recently welcomed and provided assistance to refugees and asylum seekers who arrived in Philadelphia via buses from Texas.  HIAS has also played an instrumental role in the ongoing resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.   

Amanda Stewart Hause, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Commercial Law Unit

Amanda has been selected as a Board Observer with Mainline Art Center.  

Amanda leads the Finance & Contracts Division which represents City departments in a broad range of transactions and contracting matters. In addition to her work in the Commercial Law Unit, Amanda is a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and co-founded the LawFamilies group.

Founded in 1937, Main Line Art Center works with community partners to provide visual art education and programming to those who would otherwise experience barriers to participation and provides grants to support scholarships and tuition free classes for artists of all ages. 

Zach Strassburger, Assistant City Solicitor in the Appeals Unit

Zach works in the Appeals Unit where they argue before the state and federal appellate courts on a variety of issues, ranging from code and civil rights to pension and tax appeals. Zach has also done extensive election work. In addition to their work with the Appeals Unit, Zach is a co-chair of the DEI Committee, founded the LawFamilies group, and helps to lead the city-wide LGBTQ Employee Community Resource Group. 

Zach has been selected as a Board Observer with the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

Since 1964, the Bar Foundation has supported the City’s legal services community with grantmaking, technical assistance, and fellowships. The Bar Foundation gives grants to almost 40 legal assistance programs each year.