Assistant City Solicitor – Tax Litigation and Collections Unit – Water Litigation Division

Position Summary 

The Law Department’s Tax Litigation and Collections Unit is seeking to hire a licensed Pennsylvania attorney with 1-3 years of litigation experience as an Assistant City Solicitor in the Water Litigation Division. This is an entry level position. Prior litigation experience is preferred, and applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania Bar. Strong writing and research skills are required. In addition, excellent organizational and time management skills are necessary. This is an excellent opportunity to gain litigation experience before the Tax Review Board and the Court of Common Pleas. 

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. 

• Reviewing and filing court actions; 

• Trying state court collection cases before Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas; 

• Trying agency appeal cases before the Tax Review Board and resulting statutory appeals in state court; 

• Attending court conferences and hearings; 

• Drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; and 

• Researching and analyzing complex legal issues; and 

• Negotiating with water customers and their representatives to collect outstanding water/sewer rents. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and 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, Board members, opposing parties, or judges, and listen, answer questions, present to large groups and high-level officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations. 

• Ability to effectively communicate complex rules and procedures to the public and to businesses.  

• 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 work with and/or 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;