Agency DescriptionThe City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. 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 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the 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 a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City's workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness.
The Right-of-Ways & Utilities Division is one of four divisions in the Regulatory Law Unit, which in turn is part of the Corporate and Tax Group. The Regulatory Law Unit represents the City and its officials in commercial, utility, transportation, environmental, development, regulatory and sustainability matters. The Unit has four divisions - Right-of-Way and Utilities, Airport, Water, and Environmental. In addition to the Regulatory Law Unit, the Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax & Revenue Collections Unit, Property Assessments, Boards & Commissions Unit, and Real Estate & Development Unit.
The Right-of-Way & Utilities Division provides counsel to the Streets Departments, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), the Municipal Energy Office, and the Art Commission, and represents these offices in all transactional and regulatory matters. The Division handles grant and reimbursement agreements, City Plan changes, transportation issues, ordinances, regulations, energy procurement, matters before the Public Utility Commission, and some matters before the Board of L&I Review and other City administrative boards. Attorneys manage a diverse set of transactional matters including complex commercial transactions, professional services contracts, infrastructure and development projects, grants; provide advice and counseling on regulatory law compliance and enforcement; conduct preemption analyses, and assist with the drafting of new regulations and policies.
The attorney in this position may also receive assignments to support the work of the Environmental Division. The Environmental Division primary clients are the Air Management Services (AMS), the Sanitation Department and the Office of Sustainability. The City has delegated authority to implement large portions of the federal and state air control programs. The Division counsels AMS in all areas of its air protection mission, including developing innovative regulations, advising on public involvement and environmental justice issues, counseling on permitting, and enforcing air pollution requirements in state court and before local boards. The Division also provides substantial counsel to all City agencies and departments related to environmental compliance, and on brownfield remediation and development, including guidance on Act 2 and TSCA, as well as several Superfund/CERCLA.
Professional Responsibility & Public Service 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 DescriptionPosition Summary The Right-of-Ways and Utilities Division is seeking a licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill an Assistant or Deputy City Solicitor position. The attorney will provide counsel to City departments, commissioners, directors, and City Council on a wide range of transactional and compliance matters for the purpose of furthering the City's operations. The attorney in this position will also provide counsel on the application of Federal, Pennsylvania and City laws and regulations related to contract terms, contract structure, public safety, transportation and utility law, and other day-to-day legal issues. The attorney will also support the Environmental Division by litigating enforcement actions and providing regulatory counsel on permitting matters. The ideal candidate is comfortable being a muti-disciplinary generalist who can provide litigation, regulatory, and transactional support to multiple clients with diverse needs.
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.
- Advising and representing City departments, in particular the Streets Department, the Sanitation Department, OTIS, the Municipal Energy Office, the Art Commission, AMS and the Office of Sustainability.
- Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations affecting the work of the client Departments, including but not limited to the Philadelphia Code, the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, and federal, state and local regulations.
- Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to the Division's work.
- Advising the client Departments on new legislation and proposed regulations.
- Drafting regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of contracts and agreements, including professional services; contracts, grant agreements, public works contracts, public-private partnership agreements, development agreements and memoranda of understanding.
- Participating in meetings with the client offices.
- Interfacing with other City departments, including Water, Risk, Tax, Finance, and the Office of Economic Opportunity.
- Representing the City in administrative board hearings and, together with the Litigation Group, in other litigation matters involving the client Departments.
- Keeping abreast of changes to the City's form contract and solicitation documents.
- Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.
- Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that recognizes and values all forms of diversity.
- As needed, advising and representing AMS on enforcement matters and on air emission permits and licenses.
- As needed, advising on and handling compliance matters under a wide range of local, state, and federal environmental laws regulating municipal functions such as underground tanks and waste disposal.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing in a concise and diplomatic manner. Must be able to clearly present and explain complex legal matters to both law colleagues and clients.
- Ability to handle time-sensitive, complex negotiations with sophisticated opposing counsel.
- Ability to draft and negotiate nuanced language adhering to City legal and policy framework.
- Ability to prioritize and manage a substantial and complex workload of regulatory and transactional matters.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in an office that values all individuals and respects differences.
- Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
- Excellent judgment and critical thinking.
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and processes of the City of Philadelphia
- Knowledge of environmental laws and experience with government procurement contracting or government legislative and regulatory processes are preferred but not required.
Qualifications- Assistant City Solicitor candidates must have one (1) plus years of relevant experience within a legal setting. This can be an entry level position.
- Deputy City Solicitor candidates must have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should include some or most of those described under Essential Functions.
- 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.
Work Location & Onsite Expectations 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.
Who Thrives in 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 InformationTO APPLY:Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.Salary Range: Assistant: $83,945 to $94,686; Deputy: $97,299 to $117,022 - Commensurate with education and experience
Any questions related to this position should be directed to Nina Rivera, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Regulatory Law Unit (nina.rivera@phila.gov).
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- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
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*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hireEffective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are
no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
