Assistant City Solicitor – Federal Litigation

Position Summary

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.

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.

Requirements

• General Requirements:

• Submit a complete application, a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of references.
• Become a resident of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
• Provide proof of all required documents at the time of filing the application.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Submit official transcripts to verify post-secondary education (college/university, graduate school, law school, etc.) prior to hire.

• Qualifying Requirements:

• 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.
• A Juris Doctorate Degree and an active Pennsylvania license on the start date.
• Candidates are permitted to demonstrate experience before tribunals/judicial bodies in lieu of federal jury trial experience.

Position Duties

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.