For the last three years (2020, 2021 and 2022), Mr. Sasso has served as Chairman of SELECT Greater Philadelphia (Select). Select is the arm of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce responsible for marketing the Greater Philadelphia region in order to attract and retain jobs. As such, in addition to his legal practice, he has worked on a
pro bono basis for the HRP project involving the development of the former Sunoco refinery site, as well as for the Philadelphia International Airport, the Port of Philadelphia, and developments at the Philadelphia Northeast Airport.
In 2018, Mr. Sasso received a lifetime achievement award from the Philadelphia Inquirer for his leadership in the legal and business community. In 2022, he was named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Power 100” list of the most influential people in the Philadelphia region, a recognition he has received for the last six years. The publication deemed him the “dean of Philadelphia’s law firm leaders” and noted that he “often serves as the legal adviser of choice for some of the region’s key business and political leaders.” In 2019, Mr. Sasso was selected by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of Philadelphia’s Most Admired CEOs. The honorees include 25 individuals “who are established leaders with a record of innovation, outstanding financial performance, a commitment to quality, a strong vision, a commitment to diversity in the workplace and contributions to Greater Philadelphia.” He was also inducted into the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar: Hall of Fame” to honor his outstanding 47-year legal career.
In addition, Mr. Sasso was named as one of the “23 Most Influential Business People in Philadelphia” by
Philadelphia Business Journal readers. He was the only practicing attorney included on the prestigious list. He was also honored by the
Philadelphia Business Journal as one the publication's “2015 Outstanding Directors” due to his work with the Children’s Scholarship Fund and by
Philly Biz as one of the region’s “Best Business Lawyers.” Mr. Sasso was named to
City and State Pennsylvania’s “Power 100” in for the last five years. He was also recognized by
City and State Pennsylvania as one of the “Top 10 Titans: Power Players You Need to Know” in Pennsylvania politics and
Philly Biz honored him as one of their “Power 50,” a list of 50 men and women “shaping the future of Philadelphia's business community.”
He was also recognized by the American Diabetes Association for his commitment to this organization, and was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey in honor of his service to the country and his sustained and significant support of the USO mission.
Notably, Mr. Sasso and the firm were selected as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Americanism Award recipients – which recognized their commitment to the Greater Philadelphia community and to the values of ADL. Mr. Sasso was honored with the American Jewish Committee’s Judge Learned Hand Award, presented each year to a member of the Philadelphia Bar whose achievements exemplify the high principles and noble traditions associated with Judge Learned Hand. Also, Mr. Sasso and the firm were presented with the “Stand and Deliver Award” by Philadelphia Academies for their commitment to providing educational opportunities to inner-city youth.
He was also the recipient of the William Penn Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a business person in Greater Philadelphia. Awarded annually since 1949, recipients are chosen for their outstanding contributions toward the betterment of the region, their professional accomplishments and their commitment to charity, as well as to the community.
In 2016, Mr. Sasso received an honorary degree from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. In 2015, he was chosen by Philadelphia University to serve as the school's undergraduate commencement speaker (view video
here), and the university conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
Mr. Sasso was recognized by
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for being “known throughout the region for his integrity, tenacity, and pragmatic approach as a business leader and attorney.”