Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney - Tort Litigation Unit

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

8d • $94,465 - $143,237 • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure, providing legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. The Tort Litigation Unit represents agencies and employees of the City of Philadelphia Department in civil tort litigation, defending against claims such as those arising from motor vehicle accidents, property damage due to water main breaks, and premises liability. The Unit works to ensure that legitimate claims are settled quickly at as low a cost as possible, and claims lacking merit are vigorously defended at trial or arbitration. The Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging Unit in which Legal Assistants play an integral role in our practice. With appropriate training and supervision, our Legal Assistants are expected to independently initiate and manage the investigation of tort claims, draft Discovery answers and assist in trial. 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.

Requirements

• Deputy City Solicitor candidates must have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should include some or most of those described under Essential Functions.
• Senior Attorney candidates must have nine (9) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities of your unit required.
• Must have 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).
• 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.
• Excellent writing, case management, negotiating, and trial skills.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 75-85 Major Jury cases.
• Independently conduct intensive discovery and investigation of tort claims.
• Conduct and defend depositions.
• Attend court conferences.
• Draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, discovery, and dispositive motions.
• Work with experts (e.g., engineers, medical doctors).
• Represent the City at trial, arbitration or ADR.
• Independently manage case files from initial pleading through settlement or trial and manage litigation calendars.
• 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 issues.
• 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

• Unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Eligibility into the discounted medical plan through our wellness program.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• 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, extending in some cases to spouse and dependents too.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level