Job Description

The Law Department’s Tax and Major Tax Litigation Unit is seeking a licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill an Assistant City Solicitor or Deputy City Solicitor position. Prior litigation experience is preferred. Strong writing and research skills is required. In addition, excellent organizational and time management skills is necessary. Judicial law clerks and fellows are a plus. Professional work experience before law school is also a plus. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain tax litigation experience.

Essential Functions

The duties of an Assistant City Solicitor in the Tax Unit’s Major Tax Litigation Division primarily consist of litigating agency and state court actions from the pleading stage through trial, which encompasses:

• Reviewing and filing court actions;
• Trying state court collection cases before the Court of Common Pleas;
• Trying agency appeal cases before the Tax Review Board and resulting statutory appeals in state court;
• Attending court conferences and hearings;
• Drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; and
• Researching and analyzing complex legal issues

The duties of a Deputy City Solicitor in the Major Tax Litigation Division primarily consist of all of the above, in addition to the following:

• Mentoring junior attorneys in the Division.
• Assisting the Divisional Deputy with training and case management;

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process;
• Significant experience in the City of Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
• 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, Board members, opposing parties, or judges, 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 work with and/or 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;

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 should 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 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 $101,067 – 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 plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay 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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx