Assistant City Solicitor

Assistant City Solicitor

Office of the City Solicitor

Class Title: Assistant City Solicitor

Office of the City Solicitor

Class Definition: Under the supervision and direction of the City Solicitor, the individual will perform difficult and complex professional legal work, including representation of the City in litigation as assigned; provide legal advice and opinions to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and City Staff as assigned by the City Solicitor; and act on behalf of the office of the City Solicitor as assigned or as required in the absence of the Solicitor. This position is considered administrative and is an exempt part-time employment status.

Essential Duties, and Responsibilities: Including the following, other duties may be assigned.

These duties are not intended to be all-inclusive or exclusive, just illustrative of the kind of work to be performed.

• Assists the City Solicitor in the planning, organization, and direction of activities of the Solicitor’s office.
• As assigned, attends meetings of the City Council and such other Boards or Council Committee meetings and provides such legal advice and assistance as needed.
• Conducts research, prepares cases and represents the City in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Reviews and/or drafts language for legal documents including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, notices of code violations and instruments effecting title to real property.
• Advises City Staff and officials on the legal impact or consequences of proposed actions, programs, policies, regulations and activities, as assigned.
• Prepares and presents verbal and written reports on work activities.
• Attends and participates in City Staff meetings or staff task forces organized to address special problems or issues.
• Handle or assist in filing municipal liens, revenue appeals, enforcement proceedings before the District Magistrate Judge, as well as Summary Offense Appeals in Common Pleas Court; litigation in any Court system; and representation during administrative proceedings or labor arbitration or mediation sessions.
• Assists Right to Know Officers as needed.

The expected part-time committed work will be on average sixteen hours per week, recognizing some weeks will consume more time and some less. Expected to be able to attend evening meetings and a weekly Wednesday morning meetings.

This salary will not be paid hourly, but in a salaried format.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Maintain working knowledge of legal principals and their application to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Law, municipal ordinances, constitutional law, Maintains a high level of ethical conduct as it pertains to the practice of law. Must be able to conduct legal research and review documents for legal sufficiency; determine legal issues, analyze them and apply legal principles, factual evidence and precedents; ability to conduct persuasive presentation of information written and verbal form; shall deal effectively with people in individual and group settings.

Additional Considerations: In evaluating the merits of candidates, the following may be considered:

• Actual experience with municipalities by prior employment with a municipality or in the course of engagement by a private law firm providing services to municipalities.
• Office location or residence within the City of Easton.
• Other areas of experience that may be useful within the range of legal services required by the City, such as employment law, worker’s compensation and/or bankruptcy practice.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals without creating undue hardship or a direct threat to the workplace safety, to perform the essential functions.

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, copier and printer. Strength to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 15 pounds, specific vision abilities to read printed materials, and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone. It is anticipated that the Assistant Solicitor will make his/her own arrangements for the processing of all paper work required pursuant to this position as may be required in any private law practice; for which a stipend will be provided quarterly and defined as a “secretarial allowance”.

Minimum Qualifications Required: Admitted, licensed, and in good standing to practice law in Pennsylvania. Upon hire, the individual will become a member of the Northampton County Bar Association. Must have the equivalent of at least three or more years of experience providing a range of legal services that will enhance the ability to perform the range of work described above. Possession of a Pennsylvania’s Driver’s License at the time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record is required.

The successful applicant may be subject to an extensive background check before employment.