Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney – Regulatory Law Unit – Right-of-Way & Utilities Division

About the role

The Right-of-Ways and Utilities Division is seeking an experienced licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill a Deputy City Solicitor or Senior Attorney 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.

Responsibilities

• Advising and representing City departments, in particular the Streets Department, the Sanitation Division, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Municipal Energy Office, the Art Commission, and the Gas Commission.
• 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 Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and the Streets Department.
• Interfacing with other City departments, including Water, Risk, Tax, Finance, the Office of Sustainability, 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.
• Mentoring and supporting more junior attorneys.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Senior Attorney candidates must have nine (9) 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 currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204).

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 Information

To apply: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.