Assistant City Solicitor or Deputy City Solicitor - Property Assessment, Boards & Commissions Unit – Boards & Commissions Division

Position SummaryThe City of Philadelphia seeks a licensed attorney experienced in administrative law to serve as counsel to largely adjudicatory City boards and commissions, including, but not limited to, the Board of License and Inspection Review, the Board of Building Standards, and the Plumbing Advisory Board.  The successful applicant will counsel and provide legal advice to these boards and commissions (and others) as needed, as well as attend hearings to provide immediate guidance. For decisions of a represented board or commission appealed to the Court of Common Pleas, the successful applicant will compile and file with the Court the Certified Record and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, in accordance with the applicable Case Management Order. The various City administrative boards represented by the Boards and Commissions Division have a high-volume litigation practice which can involve complex (and at times high-profile and politically sensitive) matters.  This is a demanding but rewarding position within a team of committed, supportive attorneys and paraprofessionals.Essential FunctionsThe duties of the Assistant City Solicitor or Deputy City Solicitor in the Boards and Commissions Division consist of:   Reviewing matters filed with boards/commissions, including notices of appeal, motions, briefs, and other filings, and advising on appropriate actions/responsesConducting case reviews with board/commission members to ensure that board/commission members are aware of potential issues within an appealAdvising and counseling assigned boards/commissions and their administrative staff on the requirements of due process, the Sunshine Act, and applicable ethics laws to help ensure compliancePreparing and filing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for board/commission decisions appealed to the Court of Common PleasCompiling the Certified Record, inclusive of all documents submitted to the board/commission, and filing said record with the Court of Common PleasAssisting boards/commissions and their administrators in ensuring that decisions and vote sheets are clear and conciseAttending meetings with other City departments and clients as a representative of assigned boards/commissionsConducting legal research and drafting memoranda on legal, policy, procedural, or other issuesCompetencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesAbility to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and advise on evidentiary mattersAbility to determine what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matterAbility to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing so that others (including those without legal training) will understandAbility to advise board/commission members on procedural and practical aspects of administrative litigation, objections, Sunshine Act, due process, and similar concerns, as well as to communicate this information to the board/commission’s administrative staffStrong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusionStrong organizational skills, ability to self-direct, and ability to prioritize, plan work, and manage projects independently considering the substantial caseload of the positionA collaborative and team-oriented mindset Excellent judgment and the ability to identify potential issuesThe ideal candidate will have civil litigation and administrative law experience of 2-8 years. The candidate must have the knowledge, ability, and patience to advise board members in fast-paced hearings.  Knowledge of the Philadelphia Code and Local Agency Law is preferred. A working knowledge of the City of Philadelphia government is also helpful. The following competencies are vital to this position: the ability to relate well with people, provide reinforcement and encouragement, and offer suggestions and advice on how to improve. Attention to detail and the ability to prioritize assignments is also critical.General knowledge of the Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas procedures, relevant case law, and board/commission regulations, is also preferred.