Assistant City Solicitor - Code Enforcement Unit

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 Code Enforcement Unit.  The attorney would bring affirmative litigation on behalf of the City of Philadelphia primarily in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Philadelphia Municipal Courts for violations arising from the Philadelphia Code.  The attorney will also be responsible for defending the City of Philadelphia in statutory appeals before the Board of Licenses and Inspection Review and Tax Review Board.  The attorney will also defend the City in emergency injunctive actions arising under the Philadelphia Code.  This position requires the attorney to manage a large caseload.  The attorney will conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions, and prepare and present cases before the Philadelphia Court system.Essential FunctionsIn 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 mattersPresent evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in code enforcement litigation.Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges and others involved in the caseConduct research and analysis of legal problemsStudy federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulationsInterpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals, and government agenciesPresent facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others and argue on behalf of the clientsPrepare and file legal documents, such as preliminary objections, answers and dispositive motionsAnalyze probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedentsNegotiate settlementsPerform administrative and management functions related to the practice of lawCompetencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, 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.Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.Demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects difference.Excellent research and writing skills.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.Ability to organize and maintain a relatively high-volume caseload.Ability to work independently.Work-LifeThe 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.