Chief Deputy City Solicitor - Civil Rights Unit

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

3d • $148,816 - $175,756 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• A law degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• The successful candidate will have significant jury trial experience, as well as significant experience making complex factual and legal presentations to the court.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available.
• Unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships (10% to 40% savings) with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree