Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney - Tort Litigation Unit

Deputy City Solicitor Or Senior Attorney - Tort Litigation Unit

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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 260 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.

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 Law Department's Tort Litigation Unit represents agencies and employees of the City of Philadelphia Department in civil tort litigation. Examples of the Unit's litigation work include representing police officers in motor vehicle accidents involving a police pursuit, defending the Water Department from claims for property damage due to a water main break, and City agencies in premises liability claims. The Unit works to ensure that legitimate claims are settled quickly at as low a cost as possible, and claims lacking merit are vigorously defended at trial or arbitration.

The Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging Unit in which Legal Assistants play an integral role in our practice. With appropriate training and supervision, our Legal Assistants are expected to independently initiate and manage the investigation of tort claims, draft Discovery answers and assist in trial.

We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgement, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.

Job Description

Position Summary

The attorney would defend 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 would be responsible for managing a caseload of approximately 75-85 Major Jury cases. The attorney will be responsible for independently conducting intensive discovery and investigation of tort claims, conducting and defending depositions, attending court conferences, drafting appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, discovery, and dispositive motions. The attorney will work with experts (e.g., engineers, medical doctors) and ultimately represent the City at trial, arbitration or ADR. The Major Trials Attorney position will entail fast-paced, challenging litigation in which attorneys are, with appropriate supervision, expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleading through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

• 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.
• 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;

Qualifications

• Deputy City Solicitor candidates must have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should include some or most of those described under Essential Functions.
• Senior Attorney candidates must have nine (9) 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 currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.

This position is designated as fully onsite and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Additional Information

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume. Salary Range: Deputy: $94,465 to $113,614; Senior: $118,325 to $143,237 - Commensurate with education and experience

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