Deputy City Solicitor – Tort Litigation Unit

Job Description

Full-time
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 Litigation Group includes the Affirmative & General Litigations Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit.  The Tort Litigation Unit of the Law Department defends the property damage and personal injury claims brought against the City and its employees. The majority of the claims are filed in the Court of Commons Pleas. Attorneys in this Unit conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions. They regularly prepare cases for arbitration or trial. The Major Trials Division of the Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging litigation Division in which attorneys are expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleading through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars.
Job Description
The attorney will be responsible for defending the City of Philadelphia and its employees primarily in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against premises liability, motor vehicle, and property damage claims.  The attorney will be responsible for managing a caseload of approximately 75 Major Jury cases.  The attorney will be responsible for independently conducting intensive discovery and investigation of tort claims, conduct and defend depositions, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, discovery, and dispositive motions.  Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and prior experience taking and defending depositions and conducting arbitrations and trials is necessary.  The attorney will work with experts (e.g., engineers, medical doctors) and ultimately represent the City at trial, arbitration or ADR.  The Major Trials Division is a fast-paced, challenging litigation Division in which attorneys are, with appropriate supervision, expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleadings through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars.

Essential Functions

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

Advise and represent the City of Philadelphia and our employees, before government agencies, and in legal matters
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in tort litigation.
Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges and others involved in the case
Conduct research and analysis of legal issues
Study federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals, and government agencies
Present facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others and argue on behalf of the clients
Prepare and file legal documents, such as preliminary objections, answers and dispositive motions
Supervise legal assistants
Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Analyze probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents
Negotiate settlements
Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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 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.
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 support and supervise a team of attorneys and professional staff.
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;
Work-Life

The Law Department supports a robust work-life balance.  Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday.  Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days.  The in-office requirement is 15 hours per week – essentially two days – or as otherwise needed, based on business needs, such as in-person hearings or client meetings.  Staff can opt to come into the office each day if desired.
Qualifications
This is an intermediate level position, with a minimum of approximately four (4) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities of your unit required.
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 $101,067 – Commensurate with education and experience

Did you know?

We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
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
*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