Assistant City Solicitor or Deputy City Solicitor

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited SEPTA transportation

Public Service Loan ForgivenessProgram

8 weeks parental leave

Tuition discount program

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid vacation / holidays

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia's Law Department seeks an attorney to represent City social and health-related entities in affirmative litigation, including mental health civil commitment hearings and lead code-violation matters.

Ideal candidates possess superior oral advocacy, excellent research and writing skills, and a collaborative, inclusive approach while handling a high-volume caseload from inception to disposition.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of relevant litigation for Assistant City Solicitor; 4+ years for Deputy City Solicitor
• Law degree from ABA-accredited school; PA Bar admission or reciprocity eligibility required

Responsibilities

• Advise and represent the City before government agencies and courts
• Litigate high-volume cases from inception to resolution
• Draft motions, briefs, pleadings, and responses
• Negotiate settlements and manage case files
• Interact with clients, witnesses, and stakeholders with professionalism

Skills

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Case management

Collaborative skills

Client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Bar admission in Pennsylvania or reciprocity eligibility

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Job description

Position Summary

The attorney will play a critical role in representing City social and health-related city entities that serve the adult residents of Philadelphia. The attorney will be responsible for independently managing a large caseload of affirmative litigation in mental health civil commitment hearings, as well as a smaller number of lead code violation complaints. The attorney will also defend the City in administrative appeals arising from agency decisions. Attorneys in the HAS Unit handle their cases from inception through disposition. The successful candidate will possess superior oral advocacy skills, excellent legal research and writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to seeking input, clarifying uncertainties, and sharing knowledge with other members of the team. Additional responsibilities for this position include reviewing, responding to, and potentially litigating subpoenas; interviewing witnesses; meeting with clients; drafting pleadings and motions; and conducting legal research.

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.

• Advise and represent the City of Philadelphia before government agencies and ,judicial forums.
• Autonomously litigate fast-paced, high-volume cases from inception to resolution which will include researching cases, preparing witness testimony, orchestrating client meetings, developing case theories, and crafting closing arguments.
• Cultivate familiarity with Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976, Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955, Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Act of 1966, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, Confidentiality of HIV-related Information Act of 1990, The Philadelphia City Code, Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as well as various applicable regulations and caselaw.
• Flag, analyze and interpret changes in case law, statutes and regulations that impact the Unit’s practice.
• Draft motions, briefs, pleadings, and responses for filing.
• Negotiate settlements.
• Track cases, maintain case files and perform other administrative and case management functions related to the practice of law.
• Communicate timely and professionally with the judges, colleagues, and opposing parties.
• Develop and nurture values of diversity equity and inclusion, ensuring equitable access to services, especially considering this Unit’s interaction with the City’s most vulnerable populations.
• Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that recognizes and values all forms of diversity.
• Regularly communicate with and seek advice from supervisor, mentors and unit members.
• Participate in efforts to raise the profile of the Unit and the Law Department.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, agency rules and processeswhich govern our unit’s clients with a particular focus on the confidentiality of the documents produced by each client.
• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, propose viable solutions, and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
• Ability to find what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.
• Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Must be able to clearly present and explain their case to arbitrators, mediators, opposing parties, judges, or juries and listen, answer questions, present to large groups and high-level officials
• Ability to educate clients on applicable legal requirements and policy positions.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects differences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• 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.
• Ability to ask thoughtful questions, seek input from colleagues, and contribute to a team-oriented environment
• Ability to organize and maintain a high-volume caseload.

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• Assistant City Solicitor applicants must have at least one (1) year of relevant litigation experience.
• Deputy City Solicitor applicants should have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant litigation experience. Legal experience should ideally include some or most of those described under Essential Functions.
• 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

Did you know?

• 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.

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 the Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx.