Assistant City Solicitor - Tort Litigation Unit

City of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

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. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here. 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 acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. 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 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to 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 real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness. The Litigation Group includes the Affirmative & General Litigations Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit. The Tort Litigation Unit of the Law Department defends the property damage and personal injury claims brought against the City and its employees. The majority of the claims are filed in the Court of Commons Pleas. Attorneys in this Unit conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions. They regularly prepare cases for arbitration or trial. The Major Trials Division of the Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging litigation Division in which attorneys are expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleading through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars. 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 judgement, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service. Job Description This is an entry level position for attorneys interested in tort litigation. The attorney would defend the City of Philadelphia and its employees primarily in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against premises liability, motor vehicle, and property damage claims. The attorney would be responsible for managing a large caseload of arbitration cases and arbitration appeals and independently conduct discovery and investigation. The attorney will conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions.

Requirements

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process;
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.
Ability to effectively communicate complex rules and procedures to the public and to businesses.
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.
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;
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.
The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Responsibilities

Advise and represent the City of Philadelphia and our employees, before government agencies, and in legal matters
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in tort litigation.
Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges and others involved in the case
Conduct research and analysis of legal problems
Study federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals, and government agencies
Present facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others and argue on behalf of the clients
Prepare and file legal documents, such as preliminary objections, answers and dispositive motions
Supervise legal assistants
Analyze probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents
Negotiate settlements
Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law

Benefits

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.
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
As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
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!

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