Deputy General Counsel (0013) - Litigation

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 147,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Pension plan

Parental leave

Vacation & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligibility

Free SEPTA pass

Job summary

SEPTA in Philadelphia seeks a Deputy General Counsel (Litigation) to manage its tort litigation portfolio of 700–800 open cases, lead a team of roughly 30 staff and outside counsel, and drive settlement decisions.

The role requires a US JD, PA bar admission, EDPA admission, 10 years of tort-litigation experience, strong leadership, and superb written and oral communication. Proficiency in MS Office 365 is expected, with executive presence.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited US law school.
• Admission to practice law in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.
• 10 years of experience as a full-time practicing lawyer handling tort cases.
• Proven supervisory/leadership experience.
• Excellent written, interpersonal skills and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Advise General Counsel on new case law affecting SEPTA.
• Assign all new cases to staff attorneys.
• Decide which cases should be sent to outside counsel due to complexity or exposure.
• Direct and manage the Litigation staff.
• Coordinate with the Claims Department to settle cases before they are assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Legal advisory

Executive presence

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree

Admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania

Admitted to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Microsoft 365

Job description

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Deputy General Counsel (0013) - Litigation

City: Philadelphia

Secure Your Future with SEPTA – A Leader in Transportation!

TheSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)is thesixth-largesttransportation system in the U.S., connecting communities across a2,200-square-mile service region. SEPTA isat the forefront of innovationin the transit industry, ensuring reliable and efficient services while driving economic growth in thePhiladelphia region.

We are proud to be recognized as:

2023 FORBES Best in State Employer

Philadelphia Employer of Choice for 2024

We are seeking candidates to consider for our Deputy General Counsel (0013) - Litigation position.

Opening Date: 09/29/2026

Closing Date: 10/13/2026

Job Grade: SAM 44

Salary Range:$147,108.00-$183,898.00

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Deputy General Counsel-Litigation is responsible for managing all tort litigation which currently involves approximately 700 – 800 open cases. Manages the handling of these cases from service of the complaint until the case is closed; ensures that settled cases and verdicts are paid and cases are appropriately closed without payment. Manages an in-house staff of approximately thirty (30) employees including SEPTA’s Special Counsels, staff attorneys, paralegals and administrative assistants as well as other support staff. Assigns certain cases to outside counsels and manages their performance. Conducts case conferences on each case that is approaching trial. Decides whether a case should be tried or provides the appropriate settlement authority with frequent updates to the General Counsel on trial preparation and settlement status for notable cases. Assists in the negotiation of complex cases. Advises General Counsel on cases approaching trial for settlement or trial decisions. Advises General Counsel on developments in related case law.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advises General Counsel on new case law affecting SEPTA.
• Assigns all new cases to staff attorneys.
• Decides which cases should be sent to outside counsel due to the complexity of issues or exposure.
• Conducts case conferences and decide on settlement authority or trial authorization.
• Ensures that attorneys prepare the cases in an appropriate manner.
• Directs and manages the Litigation staff.
• Negotiates complex cases and cases involving multiple plaintiffs.
• Supervises outside counsel in coordination with the Claims Director.
• Coordinates with the Claims Department to settle cases before they are assigned. Attends conferences to advise the Claims Department on individual cases that are not yet in suit.
• Handles all disciplinary matters or performance issues involving the litigation staff.
• In coordination with Governmental Affairs, monitors legislation that would affect SEPTA’s Legal defenses including but not limited to SEPTA’s immunity and the statutory cap on damages.
• Participates in committees with the local judiciary to provide SEPTA’s opinions on prospective court policies.
• Provides legal advice on issues as requested by General Counsel
• Attends General Counsel’s Executive Committee meetings offering advice on Departmental policy.
• Monitors the caseload of the staff attorneys to ensure appropriate representation.
• Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures, as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises, or hazards in the hazards affecting self and other employees is responsible for the individual’s own safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
• Performs other assignments as directed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school in the United States.
• Requires admission to practice law in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

Must have 10 years of experience as a full-time practicing lawyer handling all aspects of tort cases including trying cases to jury verdicts.

Experience dealing with post-trial issues and appellate practice.

Must have experience managing attorneys overseeing all aspects of litigation including negotiating final settlements.

Proven supervisory/leadership experience required.

Must demonstrate the ability to communicate and provide sound legal advice.

Excellent written, interpersonal skills and executive presence required.

• Organizational skills are required including the ability to work on numerous projects and cases simultaneously.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for document creation, data analysis, and presentation delivery.
• Skilled in using Microsoft 365 applications, including advanced Excel functions, Word formatting, and Outlook email management.

Why Join Our Team? Enjoy Outstanding Benefits!

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage – Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.

Retirement Security – Participate in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and a 457B Deferred Compensation Plan to build your financial future.

Work-Life Balance – Enjoy paid parental leave, generous vacation time, and paid holidays to recharge and spend time with loved ones.

Employee Wellness– Access wellness programs and resources to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Invest in Your Growth – We offer tuition reimbursement to support your education and career advancement.

Student Loan Assistance – Our positions qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, helping you manage and reduce student debt.

Free Travel Perks – Receive a FREE SEPTA Transportation Pass, giving you unlimited access to all SEPTA services!

Join us and take advantage of these incredible benefits while making a difference in your community!

Have Questions?For more information, please visit How We Hire Careers Page.

SEPTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEPTA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.