Legal Assistant - Tort Litigation Unit

Full-time

Minimum Education Required: High School/GED

Company Description

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 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 260 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 & General Litigations Unit, Civil Rights Unit, Tort Litigation Unit, Code Enforcement Unit, Labor & Employment Unit and Appeals Unit. The Law Department's Tort Litigation Unit represents agencies and employees of the City of Philadelphia Department in civil tort litigation. Examples of the Unit’s litigation work include representing police officers in motor vehicle accidents involving a police pursuit, defending the Water Department from claims for property damage due to a water main break, and City agencies in premises liability claims. The Unit works to ensure that legitimate claims are settled quickly at as low a cost as possible, and claims lacking merit are vigorously defended at trial or arbitration.

The Tort Litigation Unit is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging Unit in which Legal Assistants play an integral role in our practice. With appropriate training and supervision, our Legal Assistants are expected to independently initiate and manage the investigation of tort claims, draft Discovery answers and assist in trial.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Legal Assistant will work with approximately four trial attorneys and be responsible for sending out investigation requests to City departments and following up ensure that the City timely responds to Discovery requests. The Legal Assistant will assist in the drafting of Discovery answers, interview City inspectors, police officers and motor vehicle operators as well as conduct investigation to determine such things as property ownership, contractor or utility work (e.g., excavations) and background investigation of claimants. The Legal Assistant will assist with trial preparation and may be called upon to prepare deposition digests, subpoena requests, process settlements and judgments and other tasks as deemed appropriate by supervisors. Excellent organizational, oral and written communication as well as inter-personal skills are required coupled with the ability to manage numerous assignments. City residency is required within six months of employment.

Essential Functions

Duties of a Legal Assistant in the Tort Litigation Unit primarily consist of investigating and answering Discovery in civil tort claims filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia – Civil Trial Division. Duties primarily include but are not limited to:

• Processing settlement agreements and updating databases as required
• Managing our mandated reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with claims information

Duties may also include:

• Sending requests for information to relevant City agencies and following up to meet rigid deadlines.

• Drafting answers to Discovery.
• Interviewing witnesses.
• Researching real property ownership or possession.

• Assisting attorneys with the logistics of case management, document preparation and trial.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills
• Effective and professional oral and written communication
• Client management skills
• Ability to manage numerous assignments.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients;

Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess an Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent and have experience in a legal setting.

Additional Information

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 Sean Kirby, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Tort 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: