Assistant City Solicitor

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transportation benefit

Paid parental leave

Public service loan forgiveness

Tuition discount program

Health coverage

Wellness program

Paid vacation and holidays

Generous retirement options

Job summary

City of Philadelphia is seeking an Assistant City Solicitor for the Compliance & Legislation Group's Right to Know Unit. The role focuses on advising City departments on Right-to-Know Law responses, appeals, and related privacy matters, with additional duties in record retention and training.

The position is onsite five days a week, requiring collaboration with city stakeholders and a strong command of relevant laws. Pa. Bar eligibility or admission by reciprocity is required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or eligible to be admitted by reciprocity.
• Entry-level position; one year+ of relevant experience preferred.
• Residency in City of Philadelphia within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Advise and represent the City on Right-to-Know Law matters.
• Coordinate with City departments and officials on records release issues.
• Review records and provide legal advice on public release.
• Draft memoranda and documents on legal obligations under privacy laws.
• Represent the City on appeals and related litigation.
• Train City employees and Open Records Officers on compliance.
• Negotiate and draft settlement and confidentiality agreements.
• Perform administrative functions related to the practice of law.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Negotiation

Legal research

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Diversity commitment

Independent work

Education

Law degree

Pennsylvania Bar eligibility

Job description

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an Assistant City Solicitor for the Compliance & Legislation Group's Right to Know Unit. Responsibilities include advising all City departments, offices, and boards on responding to Right to Know Law requests, appeals, and other legal issues concerning the Right to Know Law and various other laws concerning privacy, confidentiality, and the release of public records. The division also provides guidance on record retention in coordination with the primary Law Department division that represents a particular department and the Litigation Unit.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

• Advising and representing the City of Philadelphia in all matters relating to the Right-to-Know Law, as well as other related laws and matters.
• Working closely with clients to assure compliance with applicable law.
• Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts, vendors, and others with interest in the release of public City records and information.
• Reviewing records and providing legal advice on the public release of records.
• Researching issues and drafting memoranda and other documents relating to the City’s obligations under the Right-to-Know Law and other related laws.
• Representing the City on appeals of Right-to-Know Law requests and related litigation.
• Advising the City on document-retention matters.
• Conducting research and analyzing legal issues.
• Interpreting City, State, and Federal laws, rulings, and regulations.
• Reviewing, evaluating, and periodically updating form and training documents to account for changes in the law and improvement of the quality and organization of these documents.
• Training City employees and officials and Open Records Officers on compliance with the Right-to-Know Law.
• Negotiating, reviewing, and drafting settlement and confidentiality agreements.
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and processes.
• Skill in the areas of persuasive writing, legal writing, oral advocacy, negotiation, and legal research
• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions.
• Ability to find what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects difference.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• This is an entry level position but one (1) year plus of relevant experience within a legal setting is preferred.
• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.

Work Location & Onsite Expectations

This position is designated as fully onsite, and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making real-time decisions, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Additional Information

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program-qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility for the discounted medical plan.
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available.

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Margot Smith, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Right-to-Know Unit ([e-mail]).

The successful candidate must be a resident of the City of Philadelphia within 6 months of hire.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information, or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [e-mail]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx