Deputy City Solicitor – Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Law Department is seeking to hire an attorney with five or more years of litigation experience as a Deputy City Solicitor in the Code Enforcement Unit. The attorney would bring affirmative litigation on behalf of the City of Philadelphia primarily in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for violations arising from the Philadelphia Code. The attorney will also be responsible for defending the City of Philadelphia in statutory appeals before the Board of Licenses and Inspection Review, Tax Review Board, and/or Zoning Board of Adjustment, along with any appeals to the Court of Common Pleas from those administrative agency decisions. The attorney will also defend the City in emergency injunctive actions arising under the Philadelphia Code in the Court of Common Pleas and before the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This position requires the attorney to manage a large caseload. The attorney will conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions, and prepare and present cases before the Philadelphia Court system.

Requirements

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, 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.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects difference.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Ability to organize and maintain a relatively high-volume caseload.
• Ability to work independently.
• This is an intermediate level position, with a minimum of approximately five (5) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities of your unit required.
• 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.

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 code enforcement 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, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs in statutory appeals.
• 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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees