Fast Tracked Podcast Episode 5: How in the world can today's legal leaders tackle the complexity of creating a vision to guide four different generations simultaneously? Join our guest experts Diana Cortes of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Jessie Spressart of Optia Consulting as we explore frameworks for organizing intergenerational conversations, describe the experience of leading large legal teams during the chaotic days of the last few years, consider what it means to "pay your dues" and how each generation can learn from the contributions of others, and how the future of this volatile world of life and practice will continue to challenge and create untold opportunities for living healthier lives while serving clients at the highest level.
PLI’s Fast-Tracked: Emergent Issues in the Legal Profession podcast, brings you conversations with thought leaders, delving into the most dynamic trends shaping the legal world, from AI to DEI – and everything in between. PLI is proud to keep you ever current with timely programs, publications, and podcasts. Visit pli.edu/ftpod for more episodes.
Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and host, and not necessarily those of PLI.
Featured In This Episode
Diana Cortes
Diana Cortes, a longtime trial lawyer and former Philadelphia city solicitor/general counsel, represents clients in crisis and complex litigation matters, including class actions and large group litigation at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. With experience as a former prosecutor, Diana also handles criminal investigations and has conducted internal investigations and counseled clients responding to federal criminal investigations, ethics inquiries, and high-profile media/press inquiries. Diana was appointed Philadelphia city solicitor in December 2020—the first Latina to serve in the role. As Philadelphia’s chief legal officer, she was a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet and managed one of the largest municipal law practices in the United States, covering litigation, corporate, real estate, tax, regulatory, legislative, and privacy matters. She directed the legal strategy for the mayor, city council, and all city departments and agencies responsible for public safety, utilities, public property, airports, information security, sustainability, and municipal finance. She also led the legal and client strategy to initiate all affirmative litigation to advance the city’s policy and financial interests, including those related to opioid recovery, gun violence, and environmental justice. Serving as Philadelphia’s chief legal officer during the pandemic, Diana provided legal and crisis management counsel amid critical public emergencies and was among the core group of city leaders managing short- and long-term COVID-19 response, vaccine rollout, mandatory vaccination work policies, and public safety and health measures.
Diana previously served as a litigator in private practice, representing municipalities, school districts, and police officers in civil rights litigation involving excessive force, wrongful arrest, due process violations, and malicious prosecution. She has particular experience before the judiciaries in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She has taught trial advocacy at Temple University Beasley School of Law and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Fluent in Spanish, Diana is a member of Philadelphia’s Hispanic Bar Association and the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group.
Jessie Spressart
Jessie is the Founder and Managing Director of Optia Consulting. She brings more than fifteen years of experience in talent management and law firm professional development to her coaching and consulting practice.
Jessie founded Optia with the mission to help law firms improve well-being through solutions designed to capitalize on the strengths of each generation in the workforce today. Optia provides consulting and training on management and leadership skills, mental health, and well-being in the workplace.
In addition to speaking extensively with firms and law schools about mental health and well-being, Jessie is certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as an instructor for Mental Health First Aid. She has published articles in Law Practice Today, PD Quarterly, and the IWIL Catalyst.
Prior to founding Optia, Jessie worked in consulting and spent more than a decade building and leading the professional development department at a law firm in Washington DC. Jessie is an ICF-accredited executive coach, holds Master’s degrees from Fordham University and St. Andrews University, and has earned a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
