Assistant City Solicitor - State Litigation

City of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree
• Active Pennsylvania license on the start date
• Four (4) or more years of full-time, paid experience in litigation
• Must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience includes having handled jury trials from voir dire to post-trial motions.
• Candidates are permitted to demonstrate experience before tribunals/judicial bodies in lieu of jury trial experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior