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.
The City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. 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 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the 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 a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness.
The Right-of-Ways & Utilities Division is one of four divisions in the Regulatory Law Unit, which in turn is part of the Corporate and Tax Group. The Regulatory Law Unit represents the City and its officials in commercial, utility, transportation, environmental, development, regulatory and sustainability matters. The Unit has four divisions – Right-of-Way and Utilities, Airport, Water, and Environmental. In addition to the Regulatory Law Unit, the Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax & Revenue Collections Unit, Property Assessments, Boards & Commissions Unit, and Real Estate & Development Unit.
The Right-of-Way & Utilities Division provides counsel to the Streets Departments, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), the Municipal Energy Office, and the Art Commission, and represents these offices in all transactional and regulatory matters. The Division handles grant and reimbursement agreements, City Plan changes, transportation issues, ordinances, regulations, energy procurement, matters before the Public Utility Commission, and some matters before the Board of L&I Review and other City administrative boards. Attorneys manage a diverse set of transactional matters including complex commercial transactions, professional services contracts, infrastructure and development projects, grants; provide advice and counseling on regulatory law compliance and enforcement; conduct preemption analyses, and assist with the drafting of new regulations and policies.
The attorney in this position may also receive assignments to support the work of the Environmental Division. The Environmental Division primary clients are the Air Management Services (AMS), the Sanitation Department and the Office of Sustainability. The City has delegated authority to implement large portions of the federal and state air control programs. The Division counsels AMS in all areas of its air protection mission, including developing innovative regulations, advising on public involvement and environmental justice issues, counseling on permitting, and enforcing air pollution requirements in state court and before local boards. The Division also provides substantial counsel to all City agencies and departments related to environmental compliance, and on brownfield remediation and development, including guidance on Act 2 and TSCA, as well as several Superfund/CERCLA.
We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgement, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.
The Right-of-Ways and Utilities Division is seeking a licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill an Assistant or Deputy City Solicitor position. The attorney will provide counsel to City departments, commissioners, directors, and City Council on a wide range of transactional and compliance matters for the purpose of furthering the City’s operations. The attorney in this position will also provide counsel on the application of Federal, Pennsylvania and City laws and regulations related to contract terms, contract structure, public safety, transportation and utility law, and other day-to-day legal issues. The attorney will also support the Environmental Division by litigating enforcement actions and providing regulatory counsel on permitting matters. The ideal candidate is comfortable being a muti-disciplinary generalist who can provide litigation, regulatory, and transactional support to multiple clients with diverse needs.
The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.
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.
This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: Assistant: $83,945 to $94,686; Deputy: $97,299 to $117,022 - Commensurate with education and experience
Any questions related to this position should be directed to Nina Rivera, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Regulatory Law Unit (nina.rivera@phila.gov).
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 faqpchr@phila.gov.
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
This city will never settle for good enough. We’re fueled by passion and connection and backed by talent and potential. It’s that drive that sets us apart nationally and unites us locally. If you want to create a better Philadelphia, start here!
Representing a best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, the City of Philadelphia provides growth and learning opportunities that will set you up for future success. We believe in empowering our employees through hands-on experience and job exposure. Growth doesn’t come without hard work—a career with the City will challenge you to push your expertise to the next level.
