Deputy City Solicitor - Civil Rights Unit

Description:

Job Description:
Position Summary:
A Government Entity is seeking to hire an attorney with five or more years of litigation experience as a Deputy City Solicitor in the Civil Rights Unit. The ideal candidate will have several years of civil litigation experience, preferably involving issues relating to Civil Rights litigation but not required. The candidate will have extensive opportunities to handle jury trials. Lawyers in the Civil Rights Unit handle their cases from inception (initial pleadings, discovery) through disposition (motion, settlement, or trial). They thus must exhibit poise, confidence, and superior oral advocacy skills, as well as excellent legal research and writing capability. The candidate will be knowledgeable about legal issues arising under Civil Rights statute 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983, municipal liability under Monell and its progeny, and the immunities and exceptions provided under the Pennsylvania Tort Claims Act. This position is in a high-volume litigation practice which often involves complex settlement negotiations. It is a demanding but rewarding position.
Essential Functions:
In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Advise and represent the City of Philadelphia and our employees, before judges and juries in both state and federal court
• Present evidence to defend clients or impeach plaintiffs in tort litigation
• Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges and others involved in the case
• Conduct research and analysis of legal problems
• Study federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals, and government agencies
• Present facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others and argue on behalf of the clients
• Prepare and file legal documents, such as preliminary objections, answers and dispositive motions
• Supervise legal assistants
• Analyze probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents
• Negotiate settlements

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn;
• 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 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 train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• Ability to use computer programs such as PowerPoint or MS Office.
• 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;

Qualifications:

• This is an intermediate level position, with a minimum of approximately five (5) 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.

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