Defender 90th Anniversary Highlights - Defender Association of Philadelphia

Celebrating culture. Defending community. 💛

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring the Latino communities we serve and the advocates who stand alongside them, including Lilah Thompson, head of our Immigration Unit and a 2026 Welcoming Award honoree.

We’re proud to see Lilah’s leadership and the critical work of our Immigration Defense team recognized as they continue advocating for immigrants and their families every day.

Congratulations, Lilah! And thank you @phillyoia for this incredible honor and for recognizing those working to support Philadelphia’s immigrant communities.

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Celebrating culture. Defending community. 💛

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring the Latino communities we serve and the advocates who stand alongside them, including Lilah Thompson, head of our Immigration Unit and a 2026 Welcoming Award honoree.

We’re proud to see Lilah’s leadership and the critical work of our Immigration Defense team recognized as they continue advocating for immigrants and their families every day.

Congratulations, Lilah! And thank you @phillyoia for this incredible honor and for recognizing those working to support Philadelphia’s immigrant communities.

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Take a look inside our Immigration Defense Unit with Lilah Thompson, Chief of our Immigration Unit.⚖️✨

Since February, our team has filed 396+ petitions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, helping secure the release of 290+ immigrants from detention.

This work must continue. Learn more about our Immigration Defense Program or donate to help us keep defending immigrants and their families. Link in bio🔗
#immigrationdefense #philly #ice

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Take a look inside our Immigration Defense Unit with Lilah Thompson, Chief of our Immigration Unit.⚖️✨

Since February, our team has filed 396+ petitions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, helping secure the release of 290+ immigrants from detention.

This work must continue. Learn more about our Immigration Defense Program or donate to help us keep defending immigrants and their families. Link in bio🔗
#immigrationdefense #philly #ice

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🏆 Advocacy in action.

Congratulations to Paula Sen and Mike Mellon, co-leaders of our Police Accountability Unit, on receiving the NLADA Kutak-Dodds Prize!

Their work goes beyond individual cases. Through advocacy, litigation, and a commitment to protecting constitutional rights, Paula, Mike, and their team continue to challenge misconduct, push for greater accountability, and fight for a more just legal system in Philadelphia.

We’re proud to see their work and dedication recognized nationally. Congratulations, Paula and Mike! 👏🏽💙

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🏆 Advocacy in action.

Congratulations to Paula Sen and Mike Mellon, co-leaders of our Police Accountability Unit, on receiving the NLADA Kutak-Dodds Prize!

Their work goes beyond individual cases. Through advocacy, litigation, and a commitment to protecting constitutional rights, Paula, Mike, and their team continue to challenge misconduct, push for greater accountability, and fight for a more just legal system in Philadelphia.

We’re proud to see their work and dedication recognized nationally. Congratulations, Paula and Mike! 👏🏽💙

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📢 NEW DATE! Shop Talk has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3. 💙

Join Philly Defenders and @glocawear for a community education and expungement event in North Philly.
We’re bringing resources directly to the neighborhood with:

✨ Criminal record expungements
✨ Free food
✨ Information and resources

Come out for real conversations about your rights, your record, and the resources available to our communities.

📍 Glocawear Radio, North Philly
📅 Saturday, October 3 | 12–4 PM

New date, same mission. We’ll see you there! 💙

#Philly #NorthPhilly #PhillyDefenders #Expungement #CommunityResources

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📢 NEW DATE! Shop Talk has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3. 💙

Join Philly Defenders and @glocawear for a community education and expungement event in North Philly.
We’re bringing resources directly to the neighborhood with:

✨ Criminal record expungements
✨ Free food
✨ Information and resources

Come out for real conversations about your rights, your record, and the resources available to our communities.

📍 Glocawear Radio, North Philly
📅 Saturday, October 3 | 12–4 PM

New date, same mission. We’ll see you there! 💙

#Philly #NorthPhilly #PhillyDefenders #Expungement #CommunityResources

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This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the Latino voices helping strengthen public defense and advocate for immigrant communities across Philadelphia. 💙

This week, we’re highlighting Andrea Solis Canto, an attorney with our Immigration Defense Unit and an Independence Foundation Fellow, as part of our “My Heritage Shapes My Work” series.

We’re proud of the work our Immigration Defense Unit does every day to protect the rights of immigrant clients, stand alongside families navigating the legal system, and ensure our communities have access to strong, compassionate advocacy.

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting Latino staff members and sharing how their heritage, lived experiences, and connection to their communities shape the work they do at Philly Defenders.

#HispanicHeritageMonth #PhillyDefenders #ImmigrationDefense #PublicDefense #MyHeritageShapesMyWork

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This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the Latino voices helping strengthen public defense and advocate for immigrant communities across Philadelphia. 💙

This week, we’re highlighting Andrea Solis Canto, an attorney with our Immigration Defense Unit and an Independence Foundation Fellow, as part of our “My Heritage Shapes My Work” series.

We’re proud of the work our Immigration Defense Unit does every day to protect the rights of immigrant clients, stand alongside families navigating the legal system, and ensure our communities have access to strong, compassionate advocacy.

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting Latino staff members and sharing how their heritage, lived experiences, and connection to their communities shape the work they do at Philly Defenders.

#HispanicHeritageMonth #PhillyDefenders #ImmigrationDefense #PublicDefense #MyHeritageShapesMyWork

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Calling all social work students! 📣

Join the Defender Association of Philadelphia for Social Work Student Day — a hands-on opportunity to explore social work in public defense through court observations, case workshops, staff testimonials, and more.

📅 October 19 | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍 Defender Association of Philadelphia

Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Hit the link in our bio to learn more and register. #philly #socialworkstudent

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Calling all social work students! 📣

Join the Defender Association of Philadelphia for Social Work Student Day — a hands-on opportunity to explore social work in public defense through court observations, case workshops, staff testimonials, and more.

📅 October 19 | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍 Defender Association of Philadelphia

Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Hit the link in our bio to learn more and register. #philly #socialworkstudent

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Introducing Junior Defender University 🎓 — a new online resource hub for educators, advocates, schools, and community organizations working to help young people better understand their rights and the criminal justice system.

Built from our Junior Defender Program, JDU provides accessible tools and lessons that adults and organizations can use to bring know-your-rights education directly to young people in their schools and communities.

Knowledge is power and knowing your rights is where it starts.

🔗 Hit the link in bio to learn more about Junior Defender University.#phillyyouth #philly #phillynews

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Introducing Junior Defender University 🎓 — a new online resource hub for educators, advocates, schools, and community organizations working to help young people better understand their rights and the criminal justice system.

Built from our Junior Defender Program, JDU provides accessible tools and lessons that adults and organizations can use to bring know-your-rights education directly to young people in their schools and communities.

Knowledge is power and knowing your rights is where it starts.

🔗 Hit the link in bio to learn more about Junior Defender University.#phillyyouth #philly #phillynews

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Introducing our Fall 2026 Attorney Class 💙⚖️

A new group of advocates ready to stand up for our clients, serve our communities, and help make our justice system more fair and equitable.

We’re proud to welcome them to the Defender family and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make—inside and outside the courtroom.

#PhillyDefenders #AttorneyLife #PublicDefenders #Philly

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Introducing our Fall 2026 Attorney Class 💙⚖️

A new group of advocates ready to stand up for our clients, serve our communities, and help make our justice system more fair and equitable.

We’re proud to welcome them to the Defender family and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make—inside and outside the courtroom.

#PhillyDefenders #AttorneyLife #PublicDefenders #Philly

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