Job Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a licensed PA attorney to join the Commercial Law Unit’s Finance and Contracts Division.  The ideal candidate is expected to perform the following duties:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts for various City departments, including for professional services, the procurement of goods, and intergovernmental agreements;
• Provide legal counsel to City departments on contract issues, particularly with respect to legal questions arising from the Philadelphia Code and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter;
• Provide guidance and support to City departments in the course of negotiating terms and conditions for contracts, terminating contracts, and enforcing contracts in the event of potential breaches by contracting parties; and
• Update Law Department contract and solicitation documents to account for changes in the law and to improve the City’s legal terms and conditions when necessary and appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Advising and representing the City and its departments in all matters relating to business and commercial law;
• Reviewing non-competitive bids, including reviewing and assisting City departments with the development and drafting of RFPs for professional service contract solicitations;
• Working closely with clients to review and revise statements of work;
• 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 procurement law, the Philadelphia Code, and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter;
• Analyzing the risk profile of proposed transactions in consult with the City’s Division of Risk Management;
• Negotiating settlements; and performing administrative functions related to the practice of law.

COMPETENCIES

• 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 and clearly convey information and ideas in writing;
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients; and
• Excellent writing and negotiating skills.

Qualifications

• Law degree at an ABA accredited law school and be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar;
• Resident of the City of Philadelphia within six (6) months of hire; and
• As a condition of employment with the City of Philadelphia, employees starting employment on or after September 1, 2021 must be vaccinated.

Additional Information

Any questions related to this position should be directed to PETER KIM, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Finance & Contracts Division, Commercial Law Unit (peter.kim@phila.gov).

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information, or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx.