Assistant City Solicitor - Tax Unit

  • Full-time

Company Description

With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

Agency Description:

The Law Department’s Tax Unit represents the City, as plaintiff, seeking to collect taxes and certain other amounts owed to the City, and represents the City as defendant in cases where taxpayers dispute their liabilities.   The Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting all taxes due to the City and to the School District of Philadelphia, and for collecting water and sewer charges and certain other debts to the City.  From time to time, the Law Department seeks professional services providers to assist it in its work, including third-party collection services.  The Department of Revenue is selected to administer these contracts, in conjunction with the Law Department’s Tax Unit, because of its expertise in the field of taxation and because of its experience in hiring tax collectors.

Job Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department is seeking to hire an attorney with 1-3 years of litigation experience as an Assistant City Solicitor in Tax Unit’s Mass Litigation unit. This is an entry level position. Prior litigation experience is preferred, and applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania Bar. Strong writing and research skills is required.  In addition, excellent organizational and time management skills is necessary.  Top 25 percent of graduating law school class is preferred.   Judicial law clerks and fellows is a plus. Professional work experience before law school is also a plus. 

This is an excellent opportunity to obtain tax litigation experience.

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

  • Reviewing and filing municipal court actions;
  • Trying state court collection cases before the Municipal Court, Arbitration panels, and 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

Qualifications

  • The candidate should have at least 1-3 years of litigation experience. 
  • Law degree at an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar.
  • Successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, 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 opposing parties, agency board members, arbitrators, or judges and listen, answer questions, and employ diplomacy in challenging situations. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients 
  • Excellent research and writing skills. 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns. 

Additional Information

Interested applicants should submit a current resume and cover letter.

Successful candidate must be a City resident within six months of hire.

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