Chief Deputy City Solicitor - Regulatory Law 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 Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax Litigation & Collections Unit, Property Assessment, Boards & Commissions Unit, Regulatory Law Unit, and Real Estate & Development Unit.  The Regulatory Law Unit of the Law Department represents the City and its officials in a wide variety of utility, transportation, environmental and sustainability matters.  Primary clients include the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), the Philadelphia airport system, the Departments of Health, Streets and Water and the Office of Sustainability. The Unit provides general legal and regulatory support including: department operations, complex commercial transactions, real estate transactions, professional service agreements, enforcement actions, utility rates, legislation/regulation and administrative appeals. 

Job Description

Position Summary 

The Chief Deputy City Solicitor of the Regulatory Law Unit supervises four divisions:  Airport, Environmental, Right-of-Way and Utilities, and Water.  The Unit currently has 21 attorney positions.  The Chief Deputy’s direct reports include four Divisional Deputy City Solicitors (managers).  The Chief Deputy oversees the general/regulatory counsel role for the Water Department and the Philadelphia airport system.  Six Unit attorneys are located with the Water Commissioner and his staff.  The seven attorney positions in the Airports Division are located with the airport executive team at Philadelphia International Airport.  The Environmental Division provides environmental/regulatory counsel to all City departments, but in particular to the Health Department.  Philadelphia is the permitting authority for air emissions from Philadelphia sources, and the Unit provides advisory and enforcement support for the Air Management Services division of the Health Department. It also provides legal support for the Office of Sustainability and several City departments with their sustainability initiatives.  The Right-of-Way and Utility Division provides advice and regulatory counsel and transactional services to the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), the Streets Department and other City departments and offices in legal, regulatory, and transactional matters involving streets, sidewalks, pedestrian corridors, railroads, transportation infrastructure and public utilities.   

Essential Functions 

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

• Managing all four Divisions and supervising direct reports