Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney – Regulatory Law Unit – Right-of-Way & Utilities Division

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Law Department is seeking an experienced licensed Pennsylvania attorney for a Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney position within the Right-of-Ways and Utilities Division of the Regulatory Law Unit. This role involves providing counsel to City departments, commissioners, directors, and City Council on a broad spectrum of transactional and compliance matters essential for the City's operations. The attorney will advise on the application of Federal, Pennsylvania, and City laws and regulations concerning contract terms, contract structure, public safety, transportation, utility law, and other daily legal issues. The Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government, handling unique public interest issues in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. The Regulatory Law Unit specifically represents the City in commercial, utility, transportation, environmental, development, regulatory, and sustainability matters, with the Right-of-Way & Utilities Division focusing on departments like Streets, Sanitation, OTIS, Municipal Energy Office, Art Commission, and Gas Commission. Attorneys in this division manage diverse transactional matters, provide advice on regulatory law compliance and enforcement, conduct preemption analyses, and assist in drafting new regulations and policies.

Requirements

• Must be a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
• Deputy City Solicitor candidates must have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience, including 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).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing in a concise and diplomatic manner.
• Must be able to clearly present and explain complex legal matters to both law colleagues and clients.
• Ability to handle time-sensitive, complex negotiations with sophisticated opposing counsel.
• Ability to draft and negotiate nuanced language adhering to City legal and policy framework.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a substantial and complex workload of regulatory and transactional matters.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in an office that values all individuals and respects differences.
• Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and processes of the City of Philadelphia.
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Additional experience with government procurement contracting or government legislative and regulatory processes is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Advising and representing City departments, in particular the Streets Department, the Sanitation Division, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Municipal Energy Office, the Art Commission, and the Gas Commission.
• Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations affecting the work of the client Departments, including but not limited to the Philadelphia Code, the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, and federal, state and local regulations.
• Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to the Division’s work.
• Advising the client Departments on new legislation and proposed regulations.
• Drafting regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of contracts and agreements, including professional services; contracts, grant agreements, public works contracts, public-private partnership agreements, development agreements and memoranda of understanding.
• Participating in meetings with the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and the Streets Department.
• Interfacing with other City departments, including Water, Risk, Tax, Finance, the Office of Sustainability, and the Office of Economic Opportunity.
• Representing the City in administrative board hearings and, together with the Litigation Group, in other litigation matters involving the client Departments.
• Keeping abreast of changes to the City’s form contract and solicitation documents.
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.
• Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that recognizes and values all forms of diversity.
• Mentoring and supporting more junior attorneys.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program eligibility.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships through partnerships with colleges and universities (10% to 40% savings, potentially for spouse and dependents).
• Unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.

What This Job Offers

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