Assistant City Solicitor – Right-to-Know Unit

City of Philadelphia, PA; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 84,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FREE SEPTA transportation

Parental leave

Health coverage

Wellness program

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement savings options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Tuition discounts

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department is seeking an Assistant City Solicitor for the Compliance & Legislation Group’s Right-to-Know Unit. You will advise City departments on Right-to-Know requests, appeals, and related privacy laws, ensuring lawful responses and preservation of records.

We value public service, professional integrity, and collaboration. This entry-level role requires a law degree and PA Bar eligibility, with on-site work five days a week in Philadelphia.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and processes.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

Responsibilities

• Advising and representing the City in matters relating to the Right-to-Know Law and related laws.
• Working closely with clients to assure compliance with applicable law.
• Communicating with City stakeholders, vendors, and others about release of public records.
• Reviewing records and providing legal advice on public release of records.
• Researching issues and drafting memoranda related to Right-to-Know obligations.
• Representing the City on appeals of Right-to-Know requests and related litigation.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Negotiation

Legal analysis

Team collaboration

Job description

Assistant City Solicitor – Right-to-Know Unit

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 83,945 - USD 94,686 - yearly

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

What we offer

• Impact- The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth- Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion- Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits- We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Compliance and Legislation Group encompasses the Department’s Compliance Unit, Right-to-Know Unit, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Privacy Law Unit, Legislation and Legal Counsel Unit, E-Discovery & Data Strategies Unit, and the Communications Team.

The Right-to-Know Unit of the Compliance & Legislation Group is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging practice group that bridges both litigation and transactional practice in which attorneys are, with appropriate training and supervision, expected to independently manage a high-volume caseload of Right to Know Law Requests, appeals, and related legal guidance to all City departments, offices, and boards.

Professional Responsibility & Public Service

We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.

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

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.

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.

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.

Salary Range:$83,945 to $94,686 - Commensurate with education and experience

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

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• 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 8weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must fully vaccinated.

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].