(Philadelphia) – Mayor Jim Kenney today accepted the resignation of City Solicitor Sozi Pedro Tulante, and announced the appointment of Marcel S. Pratt, currently Chair of the Law Department’s Litigation Group, to succeed Tulante as Solicitor. The Mayor’s appointment is subject to City Council’s confirmation.
“I am indebted to Sozi Pedro Tulante for his two years leading the Law Department,” said Mayor Kenney. “He has expanded the number of attorneys in the Child Welfare Unit, promoted diversity in hiring and within the office, boosted morale among the entire staff, strengthened the relationship with Council, and spearheaded the revival of the Department’s affirmative litigation practice. In doing so, he brought dynamic litigation on behalf of the City to protect the rights of Philadelphia residents and taxpayers. While I’m truly sorry to see Sozi leave, I am confident his legacy will benefit the City for years to come.
“I am equally confident in the leadership of Marcel Pratt, who has played a key role in some of our most complex cases since the beginning of his tenure, including his successful defense of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. I know Marcel will continue the challenging yet rewarding work the Law Department has taken on these past two years and I look forward to his confirmation as Solicitor by City Council.”
Among the affirmative litigation cases filed by the Law Department during Tulante’s tenure are: a federal lawsuit against one of the country’s largest banking institutions alleging that it engaged in discriminatory lending practices; a lawsuit against prescription opioid manufacturers engaged in deceptive marketing practices that fueled the opioid epidemic in Philadelphia; a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to stop the AG from adding unlawful conditions to federal Byrne JAG grants based on the City’s immigration policies; and a lawsuit against the Department of Defense for its failure to report information on a database to keep guns from the hands of people who have military convictions or have been dishonorably discharged.
“It has been a privilege to lead the Law Department and some of the best and passionate lawyers anywhere in this City. The affirmative litigation cases that the Department has pursued are just some of the many ways that the Department supports and helps the residents of our City every day” said Tulante. “I’m confident that under Marcel Pratt’s leadership, these efforts will continue.”
Marcel S. Pratt has served as Chair of the Litigation Group since joining the Law Department in August of 2016. In that role, he manages the City’s high-stakes litigation matters, serves as lead counsel in significant litigation, provides guidance to the City in creating legal policy and strategy, and supervises the Law Department’s six litigation units. Pratt has overseen the City’s thus-far successful defense of the landmark Philadelphia Beverage Tax, which is currently before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
“I am honored to have served under Solicitor Tulante for nearly two years as he championed public impact litigation, setting a new standard for how municipalities can utilize civil litigation to effectuate public policy and protect the interests of their residents,” said Pratt. “I am equally honored to be asked by the Mayor to succeed the Solicitor and that City Council will be considering my appointment.”
Prior to taking his current position, Pratt litigated complex commercial matters at the national law firm Ballard Spahr LLP. His practice included antitrust litigation, class action defense, false advertising litigation, and intellectual property licensing disputes. Pratt also advised private and public companies on the antitrust implications of large mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Ballard Spahr, Pratt was an attorney in the Civil Rights Unit of the Law Department. Pratt is a lifelong Philadelphian. He earned an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
The Law Department includes over 200 lawyers and 300 total staff. It represents the City in all lawsuits, advises the Mayor, City Council, and all departments, agencies, and commissions of the City.
Tulante’s resignation is effective on March 9, 2018. Pratt would serve as Acting Solicitor if his appointment is not confirmed by City Council before that date.