A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• 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.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax & Revenue Unit, Property Assessment Unit, Regulatory Law Unit, and Real Estate & Development Unit. 

The Pensions and Finance Division of the Commercial Law Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, and challenging transactional Division, in which attorneys are, with appropriate training and supervision, expected to independently manage a diverse workload impacting nearly every aspect of the City’s complex financial transaction portfolio.  Matters handled by the Division run the gamut of complexity and scale, ranging from general advisory contracts, to medium sized contracts, to multi-million-dollar investment contracts and partnerships, to municipal securities transactions in the hundreds of millions.  Each project requires attention to detail, an analytical mind, and a knowledge of the City’s various contracting processes, priorities, offices, and departments. 

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a licensed attorney to join the Commercial Law Unit’s Pensions and Finance Division.  The ideal candidate is expected to perform the following duties:

• Advise and represent City departments, in particular, the City’s Pension Board, Sinking Fund, Treasurer’s Office, and Finance Department;

• Provide legal counsel on contract issues, particularly with respect to legal questions arising from the Philadelphia Code, Home Rule Charter, securities and banking laws, and other applicable areas of law;
• Draft, review, and negotiate terms and conditions for a variety of contracts for the procurement of professional services, investment management agreements, limited partnership agreements and side letters, and municipal financing transactions;
• Provide guidance and support to enforce and terminate contracts in the event of potential breaches by contracting parties;
• Help develop, draft, and review Requests for Proposals, statements of work for professional service contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and other contracting documents.

Essential Functions

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

• Drafting all manner of contracts, transactional documents, side letters, NDAs, and other agreements;
• 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 the Philadelphia Code, and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, and securities and banking laws;
• Analyzing the risk profile of proposed transactions in consult with the City’s Division of Risk Management;
• Provide guidance on various complex financing and contracting matters;
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, government regulations, executive orders, 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 handle time-sensitive, complex negotiations with sophisticated opposing counsel;
• Ability to draft and negotiate nuanced language adhering to City legal and policy framework;
• 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 high-level officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects difference.
• 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.
• Ability to organize and maintain a high-volume workload.
• Ability to work independently.

• Assistant City Solicitor applicants must have one (1) year plus of relevant experience, and within a legal setting is preferred.
• Deputy City Solicitor applicants should have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should ideally 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.

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

Salary Range:

Assistant: $72,284 to $81,932;

Deputy: $86,554 to $104,099 – 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 [email protected].

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