Description:
Job Description:Position Summary:
The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an Assistant City Solicitor for the Compliance & Legislation Group's Right to Know Unit. Responsibilities include advising all City departments, offices, and boards on responding to Right to Know Law requests, appeals, and other 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:
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.
- Advising and representing the City of Philadelphia 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 with appropriate supervision.
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 currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.
Work Location & Onsite Expectations
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.
Who Thrives in This Role
This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making real-time decisions, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.