Assistant City Solicitor - State Litigation

The City of Pittsburgh Department of Law is seeking an attorney to join its State Litigation practice group.  This position represents the City of Pittsburgh in state court cases, from the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas through the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  The attorney may also appear in front of municipal boards/commissions and Magisterial District Judges.  Representative cases include torts, challenges to legislation, zoning appeals, real estate litigation, and injunctions.

In addition to litigation responsibilities, the attorney assists with subpoenas served on the City and provides strategic legal advice to City departments and officials on risk mitigation, policy development, and compliance with local, state, and federal law. 

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact matters 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.

Department: Law
Salary: $73,891 - $101,110 starting salary per year – commensurate with education.
Posting Type: Announcement
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Exempt. General Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your 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, including 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.
  
Qualifying Requirements:
Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position.  You will receive notice of your eligibility status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The ideal applicant will have four (4) or more years of full-time, paid experience in litigation. Preferred experience includes having handled jury trials from voir dire to post-trial motions. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)  
• EDUCATION: 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 jury trial experience.

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).  You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.  Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

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

The duties 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.

• Represents the City in state 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 depositions, trials, and appeals of proceedings in state courts on cases as assigned.
• 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.

Click here to view the full job description, including knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.