Chief Deputy City Solicitor - Affirmative and Special Litigation Unit

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. 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 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 a 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 Litigations Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit. The Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit of the Law Department represents the City and its officials in all commercial and property-related litigation, as well as cases involving challenges to City powers and ordinances, election laws, Title II of the ADA, pensions issues, and certain state and federal constitutional claims. The Unit also develops and asserts affirmative claims on behalf of the City, sometimes working with outside counsel, and particularly in furtherance of public policy objectives. The Unit additionally provides proactive legal advice and prelitigation counseling (including alternative dispute resolution) to numerous City clients, including Health, Streets, the City Commissioners, Public Property, Parks and Recreation, and Pensions. The Unit’s cases are filed in both the federal and state courts, including the Commerce Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. 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.

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Chief Deputy City Solicitor of the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit is the head of the Unit. This is a management level position that involves running a generalist defensive and affirmative practice of one of the largest municipalities in the country. Responsibilities include managing and supervising a team of approximately nine (9) trial attorneys and one (1) legal assistant as they represent the City in some of its highest-exposure litigation matters.

The Chief Deputy also represents the City and its officials in significant jury trials and settlement negotiations in complex contractual, statutory, and affirmative recovery matters. The Chief Deputy advises the Unit’s attorneys on trial and settlement strategy, and authorizes settlement of the Unit’s cases when in the best interest of the City.

The Unit represents clients across the City, including but not limited to the Board of Elections, Streets Department, Procurement, Licenses & Inspections, the Airport, and the Health Department. The Chief Deputy City Solicitor advises high-ranking officials in those departments. Lead by the Chief Deputy, 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:

• Managing and supervising all attorneys and administrative personnel in the Unit.
• Appearing regularly in federal and state court for settlement conferences before judges in cases where the City’s potential liability or recovery is substantial.
• Sitting first or second chair in federal or state-court jury trials.
• Overseeing the Unit’s Settlement Committee meetings, where case strategy and settlement authority for major and minor cases are discussed.
• Ensuring that the Unit is providing proactive legal counseling to City departments and agencies.
• Exploring risk mitigation strategies through use of data, case studies, and after-action reviews.
• Exploring ways to improve efficiency and processes through the use of technology.
• Arranging mock juries to test liability in cases that are set for trial.
• Developing potential opportunities for affirmative litigation, particularly cases with the potential to advance City public policy objectives.
• 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.
• Developing and updating a rigorous training program for new attorneys.
• Working closely with clients to assure compliance with applicable federal and state law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn;
• 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 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 train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.

Qualifications

• This is a senior/supervisory level position, with a minimum of (9) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities the unit requires.
• 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 eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar within six (6) months.

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: Up to $160,241 – Commensurate with education and experience

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 6 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