Assistant City Solicitor - Civil Rights 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 Civil Rights Unit represents the City of Philadelphia and its employees in federal and state court.  The CRU handles all lawsuits alleging that the City and its employees violated an individual’s constitutional rights or engaged in an intentional tort.  In addition to its litigation responsibilities, the Civil Rights Unit counsels City Departments regarding issues with potential civil rights implications.  Working mostly with the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and at times the Department of Human Services, members of the Civil Rights Unit discuss policy changes and implications with those client departments as needed.  Developing this considered advice can involve all members of the Unit, who participate in the after-action review process through which the team discusses, compiles, and shares advice gleaned from litigation with the client departments.  

Job Description

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department is seeking to hire an attorney with 1-5 years of litigation experience as an Assistant City Solicitor in the Civil Rights Unit.  This is an entry level position that provides the successful candidate an opportunity to manage cases from start to finish.  All pleadings, discovery, and motions are developed by the assigned attorney, who also serves as first chair at trial in the event the case does not resolve via motion or settlement.  Consequently, prior civil litigation experience and/or a federal clerkship are preferred, and applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania Bar. The ideal candidate has good academic credentials and strong communication, analytical, and writing skills.  Because attorneys in the Civil Rights Unit reasonably expect to try between three and seven cases a year in federal or state court and/or participate in virtual court proceedings, comfort with public speaking and a desire to hone oral advocacy skills are preferred.

Essential Functions

The duties of an Assistant City Solicitor in the Civil Rights Unit primarily consist of litigating federal and state court actions from the pleading stage through disposition via motion, settlement, trial or arbitration, as well as subsequent analysis of certain cases.  These duties encompass:

• Trying federal and state court cases before a jury or judge;
• Representing the Cit