Senior Attorney – Tax Litigation and Collections Unit - Real Estate Tax Division

About the role

The Senior Attorney in the Tax and Revenue Unit’s Real Estate Tax Division primarily litigates agency and state court actions from the pleading stage through trial, which encompasses trying foreclosure cases for real estate taxes and other City municipal claims before the Court of Common Pleas, trying real property market value and exemption appeal cases before the Court of Common Pleas, handling some further appeals to Commonwealth Court, representing the City, including the Sheriff’s Office, in various matters as defense counsel, including quiet title and conservatorship matters, handling appeals for real estate tax interest and penalties and disputes involving City real estate tax programs, drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs, researching and analyzing legal issues, assisting on litigation strategies with junior attorneys in the Unit, handling individual account problems assigned by Divisional Deputy, and handling other litigation matters that may be assigned to the Unit.

Responsibilities

• Attending Motions Court hearings 2-3 days, but up to 4-5 days per week on average;
• Attend all real estate tax assessment and exemption pre-trial conferences weekly, as well as argue nunc pro tunc assessment and exemption motions before the Court weekly;
• Attend Tax Review Board hearings as needed at least 3-5 hearings per month;
• Filing intervention petitions and arguing the City’s position in Act 135 conservatorship actions as needed;
• Assisting current Senior Attorney in defending voluminous motions and mandamus lawsuits filed against the Sheriff’s Office when needed;
• Performing research and advising Revenue Chief Counsel on complicated issues of tax legislation, particularly pertaining to the Uniformity Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution;
• Assisting on litigation strategies with junior attorneys in the Unit;
• Handling individual account problems assigned by Divisional Deputy;
• Handling other litigation matters that may be assigned to the Unit.

Requirements

• This is a senior level position, with a minimum of approximately five (5) years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities desired.
• 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).

Qualifications

• This is a senior level position, with a minimum of approximately five (5) years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities desired.
• 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).

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process;
• 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 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 interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.

Benefits

• 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.

Pay

Salary Range: $118,325 to $143,237 - Commensurate with education and experience

Schedule

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.