Next month, Diana Cortes will be leaving her role as Philadelphia’s City Solicitor to join Morgan Lewis law firm, writes Hayden Mitman for NBC10 Philadelphia.

In 2020, Cortes made history by becoming the first Latina to ever be appointed as the city’s chief legal officer. She had originally joined the city’s law department in 2018 as the Chair of the Litigation Group.

“I have had an incredible tenure where we as a city had to address unprecedented legal and policy issues,” said Cortes. 

Among the most pressing issues were violence and the opioid crisis.

Her incoming role with Morgan Lewis will present a full-circle moment for her.

Cortes began her legal career at the law firm, initially as a Litigation Associate with a focus on white-collar criminal defense and complex commercial litigation.

She then became an Assistant District Attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

In her return to Morgan Lewis, Cortes will represent clients in crisis and complex litigation matters.

When she officially departs as City Solicitor on Nov. 10, First Deputy City Solicitor Kristin Bray will serve as City Solicitor in the interim. 

Read more about Diana Cortes in NBC10 Philadelphia.

_____

Gun control is one of the many challenges Diana Cortes has worked to tackle as City Solicitor.