Divisional Deputy City Solicitor – Commercial Law Unit

Position SummaryThe City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a senior level attorney licensed in Pennsylvania or eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania bar within six (6) months of hire for the position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor to supervise the Commercial Law Unit’s Pensions & Finance Division. The Divisional Deputy and attorneys within the Division advise and represent City departments in contract and municipal finance matters, in particular, the City’s Pension Board, Sinking Fund, Treasurer’s Office, Commerce Department, Grants Office, and Office of the Director of Finance. Principal practice areas include general corporate law, competitive procurement law (RFPs and bids), and federal, state and local grants, bond issues and other municipal finance matters.The successful candidate will ensure compliance with the various City, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the City’s contracting processes.  They will mitigate risk and drive efficiency by enhancing the contracting process; enhance or develop contracting templates; liaise with outside counsel in various matters; negotiate and conduct meetings with business leaders and other corporate counsel; draft, negotiate, and review complex agreements for a myriad of City services and enterprises; oversee and manage the operations of the Pensions & Finance Division; participate in City municipal finance transactions and counsel City leaders, including commissioners, directors, and City Council for the purpose of furthering the City’s commercial operations. The position of Divisional Deputy City Solicitor has supervisory responsibilities within the Unit in addition to handling the matters described above. The Divisional position requires an attorney with strong communication, interpersonal, and management skills. The Divisional will assist the Unit’s Chief Deputy in supervising and providing support to the attorneys in the Unit, as well as developing and implementing Unit practices.All Unit members are expected to work collaboratively with other Unit and Law Department colleagues on all matters in a manner that reflects the Law Department’s focus on fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity.Essential FunctionsIn addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include but are not limited to:Supervising and managing the work of attorneys, providing training and support where needed;Providing opportunities for training and mentoring;Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment;Providing advice and guidance on various complex financing and contracting matters;Advising and representing City departments, in particular, the City’s Pension Board, Sinking Fund, Treasurer’s Office, Office of the Director of Finance, and Commerce Department;Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of contracts for the procurement of professional services, grant agreements, investment management agreements, limited partnership agreements, side letters, NDAs, and municipal financing transactions;Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts, vendors, and others involved in business and commercial law matters;Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to commercial law;Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and government agencies, including but not limited to the Philadelphia Code, the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, federal, state and local grant regulations, and securities and banking laws;Analyzing the risk profile of proposed transactions in consult with the City’s Division of Risk Management;Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law;Reviewing, evaluating, and periodically updating the form contract and solicitation documents to account for changes in the law, improve legal terms and conditions, and improve the quality of contract documents;Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesAbility to support and supervise a team of attorneys and professional staff.Ability to train professional legal staff as well as non-legal staff on applicable legal requirements.Ability to prioritize and manage a substantial workload.Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing in a concise and diplomatic manner. Must be able to clearly present and explain complex legal matters to large groups and high-level officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.Ability to handle time-sensitive, complex negotiations with sophisticated opposing counsel.Ability to draft and negotiate nuanced language adhering to City legal and policy framework.Ability to find what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.  Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.  Strong commitment to diversity in the office that values all individuals and respects differences. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients. Additional experience with finance or government procurement contracting is preferred but not required.