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Philadelphia PA

Deputy City Solicitor - Tort Litigation Unit

Philadelphia PA, Phila, Pennsylvania, United States, 19117


Deputy City Solicitor - Tort Litigation Unit

Full-timeA 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 offerImpact

- 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 DescriptionThe 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.The Tort Litigation Unit of the Law Department defends the property damage and personal injury claims brought against the City and its employees. The majority of the claims are filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Attorneys in this Unit conduct depositions, engage experts, attend court conferences, draft appropriate pleadings, court memoranda, and dispositive motions. They regularly prepare cases for arbitration or trial. The Major Trials Division of the Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging litigation Division in which attorneys are expected to independently manage their case files from initial pleading through settlement or trial and manage their litigation calendars.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 manage a caseload of approximately 75 Major Jury cases and conduct 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.Essential FunctionsAdvise and represent the City of Philadelphia and its employees 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.Prepare and file legal documents, such as preliminary objections, answers, and dispositive motions.Negotiate settlements.Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and processes.Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions.Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing effectively.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.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 interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.Minimum RequirementsThis is an intermediate level position, with a minimum of approximately four (4) 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 eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar within six (6) months.TO APPLY:

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.Salary Range: $86,554 to $104,099 – Commensurate with education and experience.Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:Transportation : City employees get unlimited

FREE

public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.Generous retirement savings options are available.Eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.Access to tuition discounts and scholarships.Join the City of Philadelphia team today!*The successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status.

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