Senior Attorney - Regulatory Law Unit – Airport Division

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 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 Regulatory Law Unit of the Law Department represents the City and its officials in commercial, utility, transportation, environmental, development, regulatory and sustainability matters. The Unit has four divisions – Airport, Water, Environmental and Right-of-Way and Utilities. 

The Airport Division of the Regulatory Law Unit represents the Department of Aviation of the City (the “DOA”).  The DOA owns and operates Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport.  These airports are operated as commercial businesses to the greatest extent feasible given their ownership by the City.  In addition to City regulations, the DOA is subject to extensive Federal regulations, particularly by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration, and to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation regulation.  Attorneys in the Airport Division handle a diverse set of regulatory and transactional matters, including the structuring, drafting, and negotiating contracts and real estate transactions with a broad range of complexity.  Regulatory Law Unit attorneys also represent the City’s Streets, Water, Health Department, and the Office of Sustainability. 

Job Description

Position Summary 

The Regulatory Law Unit’s Airport Division is currently seeking a licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill an open position as a Senior Attorney (minimum 10 years of legal experience) or Deputy City Solicitor position (minimum 5 years of legal experience).  The attorney will work on a wide range of transactional and compliance matters handled by the Airport Division, including negotiating and drafting of contracts and advising the airport’s senior executives on legal and regulatory matters for the City to operate and develop its two airports.  The transactional matters include the preparation of letters of intent, leases, licenses, grant agreements, professional service contracts, pre-development and development agreements, reimbursement agreements, airline incentive agreements, easements, and concession agreements, as well as various other agreements related to the operation and development of the City’s airports.  Other matters the attorney may advise on include marketing, sponsorship, First Amendment, and national security.  The attorney in this position also provides counsel to the senior executives in the Department of Aviation on the application of Federal, Pennsylvania and City laws and regulations related to public safety, national security, commercial development, land use, zoning, noise, environmental concerns, public finance, and other day-to-day legal issues.  Division attorneys’ offices are located next to the Philadelphia International Airport.   

Essential Functions 

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

• Representing the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Aviation in matters relating to the operation and development of the two airports as detailed above.  

• Structuring, negotiating, and drafting contracts, including leases, of a broad range of complexity as detailed above.  

• Interfacing with other City departments, including Risk, Tax, Finance, the Office of Sustainability, and the Office of Economic Opportunity.  

• Reviewing and analyzing Federal, State and City laws (including the Philadelphia Code and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter) that affect the DOA’s operations and functions. 

• Training and mentoring junior attorneys in the Division. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions to address matters described under Position Summary 

• Familiarity with airport business and related commercial transactions 

• Knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration regulations 

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and processes of the City of Philadelphia 

• Familiarity with transactional and/or administrative law experience. 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal 

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals of the Law Department 

Qualifications

• This is a seasoned-level position, with a preference for at least seven (7) years of legal experience.  An applicant must have at least nine years of legal experience and significant relevant expertise to be considered at the Senior Attorney level.    

• 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: Please submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: Up to $134,510 – 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