Deputy City Solicitor or Divisional 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 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 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

The position of Deputy City Solicitor of the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit requires an attorney experienced in commercial and complex litigation matters capable of managing and handling individual cases on their own, being a key team member on the Unit’s most significant cases, and advising the Unit’s many clients on litigation and settlement issues and strategies. In addition, the Deputy City Solicitor is expected to execute on opportunities identified by Unit and Law Department leadership to advance the City’s interests and improve and expand the work of the Law Department and the Unit.  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 and procedures.

And Unit members are expected to work collaboratively with other Unit and Law Department colleagues on all matters in a manner tha