Legal Assistant – Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. We provide legal advice and representation to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Litigation Group includes the Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit.  The Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit develops and asserts affirmative claims on behalf of the City in furtherance of public policy objectives and, where appropriate, to enforce the rights of Philadelphia residents. The Unit represents the City and its officials in commercial and property-related litigation, as well as cases involving challenges to City powers and ordinances, election laws, and certain state and federal constitutional and civil rights claims. The Unit provides proactive legal advice and prelitigation counseling (including alternative dispute resolution) to numerous City officials and departments. The Unit’s cases are filed in both the federal and state courts. Cases frequently involve requests for class certification or preliminary injunctive relief and may involve high monetary exposure and/or significant ramifications for the City and its residents.

Position Summary

The position of Legal Assistant provides an opportunity for a legal assistant to support attorneys on a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters. This position requires strong communication, organization, and project management skills. Typical tasks include but are not limited to: factual research regarding ongoing cases and potential litigation, preparing certain litigation documents, e-filing, case file organization and management, document review, and preparation of deposition notices and subpoenas. The role may also include some administrative tasks such as scheduling and processing of settlements and vendor payments.

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 Functions

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

• Preparing certain court filings and exhibits for depositions, hearings, and trial
• Tracking and organizing case files
• Assisting in all aspects of the discovery process in civil litigation
• Assisting attorneys with Tables of Contents and Tables of Authorities and other tasks related to briefs and motions
• Participating in meetings with clients, stakeholders, and opposing counsel

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional work environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and ability to prepare and review legal documents and correspondence with precision and accuracy
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing and orally so others will understand
• Strong organizational skills, including ability to effectively manage multiple deadlines and tasks
• Strong research skills, including ability to identify reliable news sources and effectively summarize and organize information
• Proficiency in online legal research tools and government/court databases
• Experience managing case files, tracking deadlines, and organizing records
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint)

• Candidates must have an associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree. 
• Prior experience as a paralegal/legal assistant, particularly with a litigation focus, is preferred.

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

Salary Range: $44,153 to $60,554– Commensurate with education and experience

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Lydia Furst, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit ([email protected]).

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*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.

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 [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx