Assistant City Solicitor - Child Welfare Unit

Position Summary

Prior litigation experience is a plus.  At the time of hire, applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania Bar. The ideal candidate has good academic credentials and strong communication, analytical, and writing skills.  Assistants in the CWU will have the opportunity to handle a substantial case load within a short period of their arrival in the CWU and will be charged with court room duties after a one-month training interval.  This position is ideal for candidates looking to improve and develop their court room skills while at the same time assisting the City in protecting some of its most vulnerable citizens.

Essential Functions

The duties of an Assistant City Solicitor in the CWU primarily consist of representing DHS in dependency matters in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia – Family Division.  These duties include but are not limited to:

• Litigating Dependency Cases in Family Court in Bench Trials;
• Litigating Permanency Hearings for Children adjudicated dependent in Family Court;
• Litigating Termination of Parental Rights/Adoption Cases in Family Court;
• Representing DHS at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Bureau of Hearings and Appeals in Expungement matters;
• Preparing DHS files for review by parents, counsel, and other parties requesting these files;
• Litigating motions to quash subpoenas for DHS records;
• Drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; and
• Researching and analyzing complex legal issues.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, 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 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 organize and maintain a relatively high-volume caseload.
• 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 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.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $81,500 to $91,928

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Karen Fortune, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Child Welfare Unit (karen.fortune@phila.gov).

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• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
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*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.

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