Description:

Position Summary:
The City of Philadelphia seeks an experienced litigator who is a licensed PA attorney to manage employment law matters and supervise attorneys within the Labor & Employment (L&E) Unit. The L&E Unit defends City agencies and employees in civil litigation in federal and state court and before local, state and federal agencies. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about legal issues arising from the following: Title VII, Title I of the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, local Philadelphia ordinances, and related employment law, as well as interest and grievance arbitration matters. Counseling is a major aspect of the practice: candidates provide advice to clients (management) / daily and provide training and refresher courses to Human Resource professionals and supervisors, and the City's Employee Relations Unit in all areas of labor and employment law. This position is in a high-volume litigation practice which often involves complex (and at times high profile) settlement negotiations. It is a demanding but rewarding position.

Essential Functions:

The duties of the Divisional Deputy for Employment Matters consist of supervising and training the attorneys in the L&E Unit, offering advice to client-agencies and managing a caseload. These duties include, but are not limited to:

Managing and overseeing the L&E Unit in all matters concerning trial of civil claims.
Ensuring that all civil actions are assigned to trial attorneys with advice on motions, investigation, discovery and case theories.
Reviewing and approving pleadings, motions, and other court filings.
Conducting frequent case reviews with attorneys to ensure that appropriate pleadings, motions, etc. are timely filed and that investigation and discovery are timely and appropriately conducted.
Training new attorneys in the L&E Unit on substantive and procedural law and trial advocacy.
Advising attorneys on case stratagems, theories, and issues.
Setting appropriate case reserves on civil claims.
Approving appropriate settlement authority.
Preparing written evaluations of attorneys and support staff.
Communicating with and reviewing the work of outside counsel.
Appearing in court and preparing for trial when warranted.
Interviewing and making hiring recommendations.
Conducting legal research and drafting of memoranda on legal, policy or other issues.
Being available to assist the Chief Deputy in all matters affecting the L&E Unit.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of employment discrimination laws (including but not limited to the ones referenced above), court procedures, precedents, 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 communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Must be able to clearly present and explain their case to arbitrators, mediators, opposing parties, judges, or juries and listen, answer questions, present to large groups and high-level officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment.
Excellent writing, case management, negotiating, and trial skills.
Ability to train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.
Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients

Qualifications:

This is a senior/supervisory level position, with seven (7) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities of your unit required.
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.