Divisional Deputy City Solicitor – Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit

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Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. We provide legal advice and representation 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 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to 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 real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Litigation Group includes the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit. The Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit develops and asserts affirmative claims on behalf of the City in furtherance of public policy objectives and, where appropriate, to enforce the rights of Philadelphia residents. The Unit also represents the City and its officials in commercial and property-related litigation, as well as cases involving challenges to City powers and ordinances, election laws, and certain state and federal constitutional and civil rights claims. The Unit provides proactive legal advice and prelitigation counseling (including alternative dispute resolution) to numerous City officials and departments. The Unit’s cases are filed in both the federal and state courts. Cases frequently involve requests for class certification or preliminary injunctive relief and may involve high monetary exposure and/or significant ramifications for the City and its residents.

Position Summary

The position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor of the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit requires an attorney experienced in commercial and complex civil litigation matters, who is capable of managing and handling individual cases on their own, being a key team member on the Unit’s most impactful cases and advising the Unit’s many clients. This work includes developing affirmative suits and other innovative approaches to furthering the City’s goals.

The position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor has supervisory responsibilities within the Unit in addition to handling litigation and non-litigation matters described above. The Divisional position requires an attorney with strong communication, interpersonal, and management skills. The Divisional will assist the Unit’s Chief Deputy in supervising and providing support to attorneys and legal assistants in the Unit, as well as developing and implementing Unit practices.

All Unit members are expected to work collaboratively with other Unit and Law Department colleagues on all matters in a manner that reflects the Law Department’s focus on fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.

Essential Functions

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Providing supervision and support to Unit attorneys and paraprofessionals.
• Appearing in federal and state courts in significant cases and for settlement conferences before judges and mediators in cases where the City’s potential liability is substantial.
• Developing potential opportunities for affirmative litigation, particularly cases with the potential to advance City public policy objectives.
• Providing proactive legal counsel to internal clients.
• Researching and drafting all manner of legal issues, filings and litigation documents for Unit cases and projects.
• Participating in case and settlement strategy in major and minor cases.
• Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.
• Participating in external efforts to raise the profile of the Unit and the Law Department.
• Managing non-litigation driven projects.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process.
• Ability to identify laws and regulations applicable 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 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.
• Ability to support and supervise a team of attorneys and professional staff.
• Ability to train professional legal and non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• Ability to use computer programs such as PowerPoint or MS Office.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
• Strong commitment to cultural competency.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.

• Divisional Deputy City Solicitor candidates should have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant litigation experience and some management or supervisory experience.
• 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.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $116,005 to $140,428 – Commensurate with education and experience

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Lydia Furst, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit (lydia.furst@phila.gov).

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: 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.
• Parental Benefits: 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
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - 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!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx