Deputy City Solicitor - Tort Litigation Unit

The attorney will be responsible for defending 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 will be responsible for managing a caseload of approximately 75 Major Jury cases.  The attorney will be responsible for independently conducting intensive discovery and investigation of tort claims, conduct and defend depositions, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, discovery, and dispositive motions.  Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and prior experience taking and defending depositions and conducting arbitrations and trials is necessary.  The attorney will work with experts (e.g., engineers, medical doctors) and ultimately represent the City at trial, arbitration or ADR.  The Major Trials Division is a fast-paced, challenging litigation Division in which attorneys are, with appropriate supervision, expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleadings through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars.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 tort litigation.Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges and others involved in the caseConduct research and analysis of legal issuesStudy 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 motionsSupervise legal assistantsStrong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusionAnalyze 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, 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.Ability to support and supervise a team of attorneys and professional staff.Ability to train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.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;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.