Divisional Deputy City Solicitor Commercial Law Unit Pensions Finance Division

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a senior level attorney licensed in Pennsylvania or eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania bar within six 6 months of hire for the position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor to supervise the Commercial Law Units Pensions & Finance Division. The Divisional Deputy and attorneys within the Division advise and represent City departments in contract and municipal finance matters in particular the Citys Pension Board Sinking Fund Treasurers Office Commerce Department and Office of the Director of Finance. Principal practice areas include bond issues and other municipal finance matters competitive procurement law (RFPs and bids) general corporate law and federal state and local grants.

The successful candidate will ensure compliance with the various City state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the Citys contracting processes.  They will mitigate risk and drive efficiency by enhancing the contracting process; enhance or develop contracting templates; liaise with outside counsel in various matters; negotiate and conduct meetings with business leaders and other corporate counsel; draft negotiate and review complex agreements for a myriad of City services and enterprises; oversee and manage the operations of the Pensions & Finance Division; participate in City municipal finance transactions and counsel City leaders including commissioners directors and City Council for the purpose of furthering the Citys commercial operations. 

The position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor has supervisory responsibilities within the Unit in addition to handling the matters described above. The Divisional position requires an attorney with strong communication interpersonal and management skills. The Divisional will assist the Units Chief Deputy in supervising and providing support to the attorneys in the Unit as well as developing and implementing Unit practices.

All Unit members are expected to work collaboratively with other Unit and Law Department colleagues on all matters in a manner that reflects the Law Departments focus on fostering and maintaining a collegial inclusive and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.

Essential Functions

In addition to the Position Summary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supervising and managing the work of attorneys providing training and support where needed;
• Providing opportunities for training and mentoring;
• Fostering and maintaining a collegial inclusive and professional environment;
• Providing advice and guidance on various complex financing and contracting matters;
• Advising and representing City departments in particular the Citys Pension Board Sinking Fund Treasurers Office Office of the Director of Finance and Commerce Department;
• Drafting reviewing and negotiating a variety of contracts for the procurement of professional services grant agreements investment management agreements limited partnership agreements side letters NDAs and municipal financing transactions;
• Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts vendors and others involved in business and commercial law matters;
• Conducting research drafting legal opinions and analyzing legal issues related to commercial law;
• Interpreting laws rulings and regulations for individuals and government agencies including but not limited to the Philadelphia Code the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter federal state and local grant regulations and securities and banking laws;
• Analyzing the risk profile of proposed transactions in consult with the Citys Division of Risk Management;
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law;
• Reviewing evaluating and periodically updating the form contract and solicitation documents to account for changes in the law improve legal terms and conditions and improve the quality of contract documents;
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.

Competencies Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to support and supervise a team of attorneys and professional staff.
• Ability to train professional legal staff as well as nonlegal staff on applicable legal requirements.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a substantial workload.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing in a concise and diplomatic manner. Must be able to clearly present and explain complex legal matters to large groups and highlevel officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
• Ability to handle timesensitive complex negotiations with sophisticated opposing counsel.
• Ability to draft and negotiate nuanced language adhering to City legal and policy framework.
• Ability to find what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.
• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects differences.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• Additional experience with finance or government procurement contracting is preferred but not required.

Qualifications :

This is a senior/supervisory level position with seven 7 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. 

Additional Information :

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $116005 to $140428 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 SEPTAs 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 8 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 wellbeing 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 nonmedical nonemergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result only employees in positions providing services that  are patientfacing 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 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 ator send an email to

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