Senior Attorney – Tax Litigation and Collections Unit - Real Estate Tax Division

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. 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 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the 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 a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness. The Tax Litigation and Collections Unit represents the City, as plaintiff, seeking to collect taxes and certain other amounts owed to the City, and represents the City as defendant in cases where taxpayers dispute their liabilities. The Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting all taxes due to the City and to the School District of Philadelphia, and for collecting water and sewer charges and certain other debts to the City. From time to time, the Law Department seeks professional services providers to assist it in its work, including third-party collection services. The Department of Revenue is selected to administer these contracts, in conjunction with the Law Department’s Tax Litigation and Collections Unit, because of its expertise in the field of taxation and because of its experience in hiring tax collectors. 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.

Requirements

• Minimum of approximately five (5) years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities desired.
• 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 Board members, opposing parties, or judges, 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.
• Ability to work with and/or train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Responsibilities

• Trying foreclosure cases for real estate taxes and other City municipal claims before the Court of Common Pleas.
• Trying real property market value and exemption appeal cases before the Court of Common Pleas.
• Handling some further appeals to Commonwealth Court from the above matters in collaboration with the Appeals Unit.
• Representing the City, including the Sheriff’s Office, in various matters as defense counsel, including quiet title and conservatorship matters.
• Handling appeals for real estate tax interest and penalties and disputes involving City real estate tax programs – including its Owner Occupant Payment Agreement (“OOPA”), Longtime Owner Occupant (“LOOP”), Senior Tax Freeze, and Homestead Exemption appeals – before the Tax Review Board and when further appealed to Common Pleas.
• Drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Researching and analyzing legal issues.
• Attending Motions Court hearings 2-3 days, but up to 4-5 days per week on average.
• Attend all real estate tax assessment and exemption pre-trial conferences weekly, as well as argue nunc pro tunc assessment and exemption motions before the Court weekly.
• Attend Tax Review Board hearings as needed at least 3-5 hearings per month.
• File intervention petitions and argue the City’s position in Act 135 conservatorship actions as needed.
• Assist current Senior Attorney in defending voluminous motions and mandamus lawsuits filed against the Sheriff’s Office when needed.
• Perform research and advise Revenue Chief Counsel on complicated issues of tax legislation, particularly pertaining to the Uniformity Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
• Assist on litigation strategies with junior attorneys in the Unit.
• Handle individual account problems assigned by Divisional Deputy.
• Handle other litigation matters that may be assigned to the Unit.

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.
• Wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
• 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) from over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities, extending to spouse and dependents in some cases.

What This Job Offers

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