Chief Deputy City Solicitor – Compliance and Legislation Group – Compliance Unit

Position Summary 

The Law Department seeks a licensed attorney with a minimum of 9 years of experience to direct the Compliance Unit, which provides counseling and representation on issues involving compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and risk mitigation strategies to City departments and officials with a focus on the following high-need areas:   

• Children and Families: advising the Department of Human Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Free Library, and the Office of Youth Ombudsperson.   

• Health and Public Safety: advising the Managing Director’s Office, the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services, the Department of Health, the Public Safety Director’s Office, the Department of Prisons, and the Police Department. The unit also works with the Office of Emergency Management.    

• Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act: advising the Office of Homeless Services, the Streets Department, the Office of Human Relations and other City departments and offices.    

• Grants compliance, including guidance on federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders.   

• Elections compliance: advising the Board of Elections and the City Commissioners on elections related matters in conjunction with the Affirmative and Special Litigation Unit.   

• Sunshine Act: advising about compliance regarding deliberations and public actions, including mandates for public notice of meetings, opportunities for public comment, and open voting, with limited exceptions for executive action.   

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. 

• Leadership & Management: Supervises attorneys in numerous, widely varied substantive areas in a growing unit of the Law Department and currently oversees the work of 5 attorneys.  

• Strategic Advisory: Provides high-level legal counsel to the Department of Human Services, DBHIDS, Parks and Recreation, Free Library, Department of Public Safety, Prisons, Police, Office of People with Disabilities and other city departments and agencies  

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance:  Advise on policies, agency strategies and initiatives, directives, and other matters impacting the legal liability of the City; Implements, executes, and manages the Compliance Unit’s activities, specifically monitoring and oversight of City agencies; Leads ongoing risk assessments of clients’ compliance policies and procedures.  

• Coordination: Interacts with Law Department leadership, City officials and handles legal matters associated with major licensure regulations, and the legal impact of administrative and operational issues.   

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Preferred 3+years compliance experience with governmental or corporate entity 

• Expertise in several of the substantive areas, and demonstrated ability to learn and lead work in diverse topics  

• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of attorneys and lead a legal unit  

• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous complex and time-critical projects simultaneously  

• Excellent communication skills for dealing with city officials, stakeholders, and staff   

• Stay informed of relevant legal and regulatory changes in the law and anticipate possible impacts on the City.   

• Foster and maintain a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity  

• Participate in external efforts to raise the profile of the Unit and the Law Department   

• Develop and update a rigorous training program for new attorneys  

• Qualified candidates must be hard-working, organized, attend to detail, and have an eager, helpful attitude  

• Knowledge of City procedures is a plus  

• Excellent time management skills   

• Excellent organizational skills   

• Ability to work in a demanding and fast-paced setting   

• Ability to work productively individually and collaboratively  

• The candidate will have at least 9 years of experience in legal counsel and advice and/or compliance work.  

• At least four years’ supervisory and management experience on major projects, including proven capabilities and communication skills to successfully interact with clients and attorneys.   

• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.  

Work Location & Onsite Expectations 

This position is designated as fully onsite, and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.  

Who Thrives in This Role 

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making real-time decisions, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment. 

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

Salary Range: $144,482 to $170,637 – Commensurate with education and experience 

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Andrew Richman, Chair, Compliance and Legislation Group (Andrew.richman@phila.gov). 

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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

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