Chief Deputy City Solicitor Tort Litigation Unit

City of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 141,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Chief Deputy City Solicitor to lead the Tort Litigation Unit. This pivotal role involves managing a team of attorneys and legal staff while defending the city against various claims. The successful candidate will engage in high-stakes jury trials, oversee settlement negotiations, and provide strategic legal counsel to city departments. With a strong focus on diversity and collaboration, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in public service while enjoying comprehensive benefits, including free public transportation and generous parental leave. Join a team committed to excellence and community well-being.

Benefits

Free Public Transportation

Paid Parental Leave

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Paid Vacation and Sick Leave

Generous Retirement Savings Options

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Tuition Discounts and Scholarships

Qualifications

• Minimum of 9 years of relevant legal experience required.
• Management experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise a team of attorneys and legal staff.
• Represent the City in jury trials and settlement negotiations.
• Provide legal counseling to City departments.

Skills

Legal Analysis

Trial Skills

Negotiation

Team Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Law Degree from ABA Accredited Law School

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Chief Deputy City Solicitor of the Tort Litigation Unit is the head of the Unit. This is a management level position that involves defending the City of Philadelphia and its employees primarily in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against premises liability, motor vehicle, and property damage claims. Responsibilities include managing and supervising a team of approximately twenty-two (22) trial attorneys, ten (10) legal assistants, and two (2) office managers as they represent the City in high volume litigation matters that can involve catastrophic injuries to individuals and property.

The Chief Deputy also represents the City and its officials in significant jury trials and settlement negotiations in civil tort litigation matters. In addition to advising 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 works with departments across the City, counseling them about liability exposure and best practices to reduce the risk exposure of the City.

The Tort Litigation Unit represents clients across City departments and agencies. Led by the Chief Deputy, Unit members are expected to work collaboratively with other Unit and Law Department colleagues on all matters in a manner that reflects the Law Department’s focus on fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.

Essential Functions

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Managing and supervising all attorneys and administrative personnel in the Unit.
• Appearing regularly in state court for settlement conferences before judges in cases where the City’s potential liability is substantial.
• Sitting first or second chair in state-court jury trials as needed.
• 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 City departments and agencies.
• 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 law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and processes, 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:

• 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.
• Management experience is strongly preferred, particularly with overseeing large teams with a significant number of deliverables in short periods of time.
• 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.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $141,648 to $167,291 – Commensurate with education and experience

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 8 weeks 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 be 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].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website