Senator Larry Farnese joins Zarwin, Baum as Of Counsel after being elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2008 and reelected in 2013 to represent the First Senatorial District. The District, which comprises some of Philadelphia’s most unique and vibrant neighborhoods, spans from Port Richmond on the Delaware River to Fairmount Park on the Schuylkill River and includes South Philadelphia, Center City, Fairmont, the Navy Yard, and Philadelphia’s International Airport and sports complexes.

 

With extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, copyright/trademark infringement, protection of corporate trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty disputes and construction-related litigation, along with his high regard for the growth and development of the communities he serves, Senator Farnese is truly a valuable addition to Zarwin Baum.

 

Senator Farnese is a champion for City and State economic development. In addition to securing capital funding for many commercial and cultural institutions, he is an advocate for Delaware River dredging and the expansion of Philadelphia’s ports; in addition to related job training and tax incentives. He proposed the legislation to revise Philadelphia’s property tax abatement program in order to spur new construction; secured over $14,000,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grants and other economic development grants to create jobs, improve neighborhoods, institute green energy solutions and improve tourism in the City; hosts an annual business and transportation forum; and successfully led the fight to defeat proposed taxes on the arts and professional services.

 

The Senator is a passionate, outspoken supporter of equality and anti-discrimination legislation for all Pennsylvanians. He is also seen as one of the State’s most passionate public safety advocates because quality of life is crucial to the long-term success of the region. He has worked to reduce gun violence, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, close the Florida Loophole, increase the penalty for illegally carrying a concealed weapon, and combat the straw purchases of illegal handguns. In his first term, he also obtained funding to restore the Philadelphia Police Mounted Unit and continues to work closely with local officials and community leaders to improve the oversight of neighborhood nuisance bars.

 

He serves as the Democratic Chair of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and is a member of the Banking and Insurance, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Judiciary and Transportation Committees. Farnese is also a member of the Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee and serves on the Boards of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the Public School Employees Retirement System and Casa Farnese, the first affordable senior housing complex in Philadelphia, founded in 1966 by the Senator’s grandfather.

 

Farnese earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Villanova University and graduated from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 1994. In 2013 Senator Farnese was chosen as the Italian Museum of Philadelphia’s Italian-American of the Year and has become widely recognized as a defender of neighborhood associations thanks to his SLAPP legislation protecting them against frivolous lawsuits.