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

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

1d • $118,325 - $143,237 • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government, providing legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The Tax Litigation and Collections Unit represents the City in cases where taxpayers dispute their liabilities and seeks to collect taxes and other amounts owed to the City. This Senior Attorney position in the Real Estate Tax Division will primarily litigate agency and state court actions from the pleading stage through trial, including foreclosure cases for real estate taxes, real property market value and exemption appeal cases, and defense in quiet title and conservatorship matters. The role also involves handling appeals for real estate tax interest and penalties, drafting legal documents, and researching legal issues.

Requirements

• A law degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must 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.
• Ability 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.
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

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.
• Eligibility into the discounted medical plan through the 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 partner colleges and universities, extending to spouse and dependents in some cases.

What This Job Offers

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