Company Description A 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 offer
Impact - 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 Description
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 240 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.
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 real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.
The Litigation Group is comprised of the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit, Appeals Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit, Labor & Employment Unit, and Tort Litigation Unit. Its major clients include, the Philadelphia Police Department, Streets Department, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, Department of License & Inspections, Department of Human Services (DHS), and Department of Public Health (PDPH). The Litigation Group is also responsible for representing the City in all of its employment-related matters. In addition to its litigation responsibilities, the Litigation Group counsels City Departments regarding issues raised in litigation or with potential legal implications.
Job Description The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an experienced licensed PA attorney to Chair the Litigation Group. The Litigation Unit oversees all of the litigation units in the Law Department. The Litigation Group Chair oversees, manages, and further develops the provision of legal representation and services to all departments, agencies, elected officials and employees of the City of Philadelphia. The Litigation Group Chair will be responsible for managing over 150 people (over 75 attorneys, over 75 staff). The Litigation Group Chair is also a member of the Law Department’s Executive Team and reports directly to the City Solicitor and First Deputy City Solicitor.
Essential Functions
The duties of the Litigation Group Chair primarily consist of providing coordinated legal representation and advice to all departments, agencies, elected officials and employees of the City of Philadelphia. These duties include but are not limited to:
Managing and overseeing the Senior Management structure in the Litigation Group, which currently consists of six Chief Deputies, i.e. Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit, Appeals Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit, Labor & Employment Unit, and Tort Litigation Unit (approximately over 70 attorneys when at capacity);Managing, at a macro level, legal and policy issues for our City agencies with as it pertains to litigation strategy;Serving as lead counsel in significant litigation and providing guidance to City officials and operating departments in creating legal policy and strategy;Serving as lead counsel or part of lead counsel group in high profile litigations filed against and on behalf of the City of Philadelphia;Counseling and consulting with the City Solicitor, Chief of Staff, and Client Stakeholders on “high profile cases”, which includes the drafting of responses to press/media inquiries;Participating and providing counsel to various City Work Groups, i.e., Immigration Policy.Overseeing and participating in Law Department’s Overturned Conviction Committee, which evaluates and advises City Solicitor on civil rights cases regarding overturned convictions; Overseeing completion of After Action Review Memos by the Litigation Units;Overseeing and managing interview process for all Litigation Attorney vacancies. Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong leadership and management skills;Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;Influence and run cross-functional teams to drive change and stay aligned with overarching strategy;Orchestrate multiple activities at once; uses resources effectively and efficiently;Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal;Excellent active listening skills;Strong analytical & problem-solving skills;Proven project management skills that meet projected deadline and results;Work effectively with all levels in the government;Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences;Ability to coach and influence senior leaders and move toward a common vision or goal;Experience in group facilitation, coaching & leading teams/organizations in performance improvement strategies that result in higher performance;Experience in managing client relationships;Experience in cross system collaboration work, information sharing and data sharing;Analysis of complex legal issues and impact on policy;Knowledge 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. Work-Life
The 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.
Qualifications The ideal candidate would have at least 12-15 years in practice, including experience managing attorneys. Significant experience in a diverse litigation practice is preferred. The candidate must be able to work collaboratively with the leadership and staff of the various City departments and the other stakeholders to solve the myriad issues that may arise when addressing a variety of issues stemming from litigation.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. Additional Information TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: Up to $174,879 - 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. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical planEmployees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidaysGenerous retirement savings options are availablePay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too! Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective 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.
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. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx