Chief Deputy City Solicitor

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transportation access

Paid parental leave

Tuition discount program with area/col

Health coverage for employees and deps

Vacation, sick leave, holidays

Job summary

City of Philadelphia seeks a seasoned Chief Deputy City Solicitor for the Civil Rights Unit to lead a large litigation team, oversee high-exposure matters, and advise city officials on strategy and settlements. The role drives trial leadership, collaboration with outside counsel, and proactive guidance for law department clients.

The candidate brings extensive jury trial experience, strong writing and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to foster an inclusive, high-performing team in a

Qualifications

• Senior/supervisory role with extensive legal experience (9+ years) in civil rights or municipal litigation.
• Must have a law degree from an ABA-accredited school and PA bar eligibility or admission.
• Demonstrated jury trial experience and aptitude for high-exposure matters.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise all attorneys and staff in the Civil Rights Unit.
• Provide trial strategy, coaching, and settlement approvals.
• Represent the City in significant jury trials and high-exposure matters.
• Liaise with outside counsel and city officials (Police/Prisons) on litigation strategy.
• Oversee Settlement Committee and ensure proactive legal counseling to city departments.

Skills

Legal analysis

Trial skills

Negotiation

Diversity & inclusion

Leadership

Written communication

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA approved)

Pennsylvania Bar admission or reciprocity

Job description

Position Summary

The Chief Deputy City Solicitor of the Civil Rights Unit is the head of the Unit. This is a management level position that involves running the civil rights practice of one of the largest municipalities in the country. Responsibilities include managing and supervising a team of three (3) managing attorneys, and approximately twenty (20) trial attorneys and seven (7) non-attorney staff members as they represent the City in some of its highest-exposure litigation matters.

The Chief Deputy represents the City and its officials in significant jury trials and settlement negotiations in civil rights matters. The Chief Deputy advises the Unit's attorneys on trial and settlement strategy, and authorizes settlement of the Unit's cases when in the best interest of the City. The Chief Deputy also serves as a liaison to outside counsel in high-exposure constitutional and Ninth Exception to the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act cases, facilitating discovery, motions practice, and settlement negotiation in those matters.

The Unit's primary clients are the Police Department and Department of Prisons. The Chief Deputy City Solicitor advises directly high-ranking officials in those departments, including the Police Commissioner and the Prisons Commissioner.

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.

• Managing and supervising all attorneys and administrative personnel in the Unit.
• Coaching employees to enhance their courtroom presentation of cases, as well as their relationship development with both clients and the bench.
• Appearing regularly in federal and state court for settlement conferences before judges in cases where the City’s potential liability is substantial.
• Sitting first or second chair in federal or state-court jury trials.
• Overseeing the Unit's Settlement Committee meetings, where case strategy and settlement authority for major and minor cases are discussed.
• Ensuring that the Unit is providing proactive legal counseling to the Police Department, Department of Prisons, and other City departments and agencies.
• Meeting regularly with the Police Commissioner and Prisons Commissioner.
• Exploring risk mitigation strategies through use of data, case studies, and after-action reviews.
• Exploring ways to improve efficiency and processes through the use of technology.
• Arranging mock juries to test liability in cases that are set for trial.
• Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.
• Participating in external efforts to raise the profile of the Unit and the Law Department.
• Developing and updating a rigorous training program for new attorneys.
• Working closely with clients to assure compliance with applicable federal and state law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn;
• 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;
• 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 and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
• Excellent writing, case management, negotiating, and trial skills.
• Ability to train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients;

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• This is a senior/supervisory level position, with a minimum of (9) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities the unit requires.
• The successful candidate will have significant jury trial experience, as well as significant experience making complex factual and legal presentations to the court.
• 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 decisions in real time, 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 into the discounted medical plan.
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available.

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