Susie Cirilli, a Member of Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C.’s Employment Law Group, was honored with the distinction of being named a Law Firm Innovator by American Lawyer Media in the 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards. This award seeks to recognize those lawyers, legal professionals and law firms who think outside the box and have demonstrated an ability to distinguish their brands in a crowded market.

Cirilli had previously been selected as a finalist in the Law Firm Innovator category. She and her fellow finalists gathered at an awards dinner on June 11, 2026, where the winner among them was announced. In addition to Cirilli’s recognition, the honorees and winners for Distinguished Leaders, Lawyers on the Fast Track, Lifetime Achievement, Unsung Heroes, and other categories were recognized. Winners from all categories will be highlighted in special editorial sections of The Legal Intelligencer.

Susie Cirilli is an innovator at Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C., and thus far she has proven herself worthy of being named a Law Firm Innovator through her unique approach to law and the cases she takes up in the firm’s name.

In particular, is Cirilli’s dedication to crossing boundaries the firm has yet to cross. She has taken up cases in representation of transgender athletes whom she has supported in their cases amidst a difficult environment. This dedication has earned her numerous media coverage and features.

Cirilli was honored as a “Game Changer” by Philadelphia Gay News, in recognition of her work defending transgender athletes. This recognition was part of an honoring of 49 local LGBTQ+ leaders.

Cirilli was also featured alongside her fellow SGRV Members in an article published by Philadelphia Gay News. The article details Cirilli joining the firm, and the strides made defending the rights of transgender athletes in the time since. The article mentions the supportive atmosphere fostered by SGRV and how her colleagues helped her to feel like a fundamental asset, capable of propelling SGRV toward new frontiers of litigation.

Cirilli was profiled and quoted in a recent article published by Front Office Sports, a media organization that covers the business, culture, and industry of sports. The article covers how Cirilli is taking her passion for athletics to the arena of law in her representation of transgender athletes. The article goes in-depth to detail Cirilli’s approach to her matters, which hinge on interpretations of state anti-discrimination laws, as opposed to the more commonly argued-in-court issues of Title IX and Equal Protection.

Cirilli has been quoted in a Forbes article, covering the topic of collective bargaining efforts by the WNBA in an effort to bolster domestic retention of athletes, who are often coaxed oversees with competitive financial offerings.

Cirilli is unafraid to “tell it like it is.” In a recent case where she was quoted by the AP, Cirilli responded to a complaint citing that NJ anti-discrimination laws bar discrimination for being transgender, with schools considered areas of “public accommodation.” Cirilli, representing the plaintiff, was quoted, noting that “As stated in the complaint, the defendants’ individual actions were intolerable in a civilized community and go beyond the possible bounds of decency.”

Cirilli brings her expertise to the younger generation as well. She presented at a “talk it OUT” reception hosted by Widener University Law School’s OUTLaw, focusing on LGBTQIA+ issues. OUTlaw is a student-run organization aimed at providing a safe space for the LGBTQ legal community.

Cirilli has also branched out into the podcast space, wherein a recent interview with Kareem Rae of The One Soccer Nation Podcast had her leading a discussion on how law, identity, and policy are reshaping modern sport.

Cirilli also spoke to Jennifer Leary of Watch Party PHL about how she grew up playing sports, what brought her to sports law, and the transgender athlete cases she is working on right now and how they could affect us all.

Cirilli brings over a decade of experience advising businesses and executives on a wide range of employment law matters. With a practical, thoughtful approach, she counsels clients through critical workplace issues—from hiring and termination to leadership transitions and complex employment dynamics.

Cirilli has developed a particular focus on advising organizations within the sports industry, with a strong passion for supporting women’s sports. Her ability to balance legal insight with real-world business needs has made her a trusted partner to companies navigating high-stakes employment decisions.

Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C. has represented clients nationally and internationally for over 50 years and provides counsel and expertise across the entire spectrum of legal practice, from complex litigation to sophisticated transactional and corporate matters. The firm has offices in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Florida, and New York.