Mary DeFusco, Esq., served as director of training for the Defender Association of Philadelphia until her retirement in 2025. She was responsible for the initial training of all new attorneys as well as the continuing legal education of experienced public defenders.

DeFusco has served as the Defender Association’s representative on the Oversight Committees of the Philadelphia Treatment Court and the Project Dawn Court. DeFusco, along with representatives of the Court and District Attorney’s Office, was instrumental in the creation of these internationally renowned courts, which integrate drug treatment and sexual trauma recovery within the criminal justice system.

DeFusco is also a co-founder and president of the Board of Directors of Dawn’s Place, a unique program in Philadelphia serving the needs of trafficked, pimped and prostituted women.