Position Summary
The Staff Attorney will report to CPOC’s General Counsel and will assist with all legal work of the agency, including policy development, compliance, advocacy, and litigation, as appropriate. Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Staff Attorney may assist in all agency functions, including complaint intake and processing, policy and legal research, administrative discipline charging and hearing processes, outreach events, investigations, monitoring and auditing.
The ideal candidate has good academic credentials and/or work experience and strong communication, analytical, and writing skills.
At time of hire, applicants must be active members of the Pennsylvania bar, in good standing.
Essential Functions
The duties of a Staff Attorney at CPOC may include:
- Conducting legal research and writing correspondence, memoranda, reports and policy documents concerning issues including policing, 4th Amendment issues, civil rights, labor, administrative, and local agency law;
- Conducting other desk research and basic data analysis and drafting/contributing to policy reports;
- Drafting and revising agency policies for staff and board members, answering legal questions for staff and board members as they arise;
- Identifying and developing new work and new projects for the agency in alignment with our legislation, Phila. City Code § 21-1200;
- Communicating with relevant divisions of PPD and other city partners to request and obtain relevant information and develop written agreements to carry out the agency’s work;
- Preparing materials to educate the public about legal issues relevant to policing;
- Supporting the policy and advocacy work of the agency; and
- Litigation tasks, as needed.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of applicable laws, legal code, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules and process, and demonstrated ability to quickly learn;
- Experience with policing, criminal justice system, civil rights, administrative discipline proceedings, or other subjects relevant to agency work;
- Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions;
- Ability to find and interpret applicable laws and regulations to a specific matter;
- Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly orally and in writing to facilitate understanding by a variety of audiences. Must be able to clearly present and explain a legal situation or case to arbitrators, mediators, opposing parties, judges, juries, civilians, and police officers, and listen, answer questions, present to large groups and high-level officials. Must employ diplomacy in challenging interpersonal 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 research, writing, case management, negotiating, and trial skills;
- Ability to use computer programs such as Microsoft Office suite;
- Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations;
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; civil rights and civil liberties; and equal access to justice; and
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues, partners, and members of the public.