Assistant City Solicitor - Federal Litigation

Federal Litigation Attorney:

The City of Pittsburgh Department of Law is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Federal Litigation practice group.  The Federal Litigation group represents the City, its departments, elected and appointed officials, boards, commissions, and employees in complex federal litigation in both trial and appellate courts.  This position primarily focuses on defending actions alleging that the City and its employees violated an individual’s constitutional rights or engaged in an intentional tort, or that the City unlawfully discriminated against an employee or an individual.  The attorney in this position also handles a diverse range of federal matters implicating constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues.

This attorney manages all phases of litigation from initial case assessment through resolution, including drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, conducting discovery, taking and defending depositions, developing litigation strategy, engaging in settlement negotiations, and serving as lead counsel in hearings, trials, and appeals.  Responsibilities also include preparing appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments.

The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about legal issues arising under civil rights statute 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983, municipal liability under Monell and its progeny, federal discrimination laws, and federal practice and procedure.  

In addition to litigation responsibilities, the attorney provides strategic legal advice to City departments and officials on risk mitigation, policy development, and compliance with federal law. The role may involve responding to subpoenas and government inquiries, coordinating with outside counsel, participating in internal investigations, and advising on matters that may give rise to litigation.

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact cases involving significant legal and public policy issues, requiring sound judgment, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

About the Law Department:

The City of Pittsburgh Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government.  We provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City officials and employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions.   The attorneys of the Law Department represent the City and its officials in litigation, including at trial and in appellate matters in state and federal courts.  The Law Department also represents the City as a municipal corporation in drafting legislation, negotiating and documenting transactions, handling real estate matters, and advising on operational matters.  

The Law Department is located in the City-County Building (Pittsburgh’s “city hall”), 414 Grant Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. 

The Law Department offers a dynamic, collegial environment for the practice of law.

General Requirements:

Each applicant must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing the application (unless otherwise indicated below) or the application will be disqualified.  Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of references.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
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NOTE:  The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions.  The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments.  Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE:  Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify of their post-secondary education (college/university, graduate school, law school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh.  Law school transcripts must be submitted prior to interview.  Any other post-secondary transcripts must be submitted prior to hire.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The ideal applicant will have five (5) to ten (10) years of full-time, paid legal experience in litigation. Preferred experience includes federal jury trials from voir dire to post-trial motions.
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Juris Doctorate Degree and an active Pennsylvania license on the start date.  (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
• EQUIVALENCY:  Candidates are permitted to demonstrate experience before tribunals/judicial bodies in lieu of federal jury trial experience.

• Written:  None required for this position.
• Performance:  None required for this position.
• Medical:  None required for this position.

• Represents the City in Federal civil litigation proceedings brought on behalf or against the City including its departments, officials, and employees.
• Maintains and develops expertise about laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting municipal legal issues. 
• Researches legal issues and prepares legal memorandum, correspondence, pleadings, motions, petitions, briefs, and discovery.
• Conducts discovery, including corresponding with opposing counsel, taking and defending depositions, answering written discovery requests, requesting documents and interrogatories, and conducting expert discovery.
• Conducts hearings, trials, and appeals of proceedings in federal courts regarding allegations of constitutional violations, torts, employment discrimination, and other claims.
• Analyzes probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
• Negotiates settlements.
• Performs activities, functions, and other tasks and duties as assigned or required by the City Solicitor.