Assistant City Solicitor - Right To Know Unit

Description:

Job Description:
Position Summary:
A Government Entity Law Department seeks an Assistant City Solicitor for the Compliance, Investigations, and Privacy Group's Right to Know Unit. Responsibilities include advising all City departments, offices, and boards on legal issues concerning the Right-to-Know Law, and various other laws concerning privacy, confidentiality, and the release of public records. The division also provides guidance on record retention in coordination with the primary Law Department division that represents a particular department and the Litigation Unit.

Essential Functions:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advising and representing A Government Entity in all matters relating to the Right-to-Know Law, as well as other related laws and matters.
• Working closely with clients to assure compliance with applicable law.
• Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts, vendors, and others with interest in the release of public City records and information.
• Reviewing records and providing legal advice on the public release of records.
• Researching issues and drafting memoranda and other documents relating to the City's obligations under the Right-to-Know Law and other related laws.
• Representing the City on appeals of Right-to-Know Law requests and related litigation
• Advising the City on document-retention matters.
• Conducting research and analyzing legal issues.
• Interpreting City, State, and Federal laws, rulings, and regulations.
• Reviewing, evaluating, and periodically updating form and training documents to account for changes in the law and improvement of the quality and organization of these documents.
• Training City employees and officials and Open Records Officers on compliance with the Right-to-Know Law.
• Negotiating, reviewing, and drafting settlement and confidentiality agreements.
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and processes.
• Skill in the areas of persuasive writing, legal writing, oral advocacy, negotiation, and legal research
• 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.
• 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 work independently.

Qualifications:

• This is an entry level position but one (1) year plus of relevant experience within a legal setting is preferred.
• 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.
  

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