Assistant County Solicitor - Human Resources

Overview

Provides legal counsel and advice to County Departments, including interpreting applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conducts legal research with resources that include Westlaw and Co-Counsel.
• Prepares legal pleadings and provides legal representation on behalf of Allegheny County including active participation in pleading work, discovery, pre-trial practice, trials, and appellate proceedings in state and federal courts in litigation matters.
• Represents Allegheny County’s interests in legal proceedings initiated by and on behalf of current/former Allegheny County employees; represents Allegheny County in administrative matters before various state and federal agencies.
• Maintains electronic-only case files using the Law Department’s case management system, HighQ.
• Drafts, reviews, edits, and finalizes legal agreements such as contracts, leases, memorandums of understanding, and license agreements for assigned county departments.
• Drafts Solicitor opinion letters and ordinances.
• Reviews and approves various legal agreements through DocuSign for assigned county departments.
• Performs other legal work as required or requested.
• Travels to various locations throughout Allegheny County and occasionally travels out of the county or state to attend trainings or conferences.

Requirements

• A law degree (J.D. or L.L.B.) from an accredited law school.
• An active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Residency in Allegheny County within 1 year of employment.
• Successful completion of a background check, including verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status.

Applicants who have experience in civil law and government-related litigation are preferred.

Skills & Knowledge

Knowledge Of

• Civil rights law, immunity law, tort law, administrative law, employment law, election law, contract law, and other civil law.
• Applicable rules of court, civil procedure, appellate procedure, rules of evidence, the Allegheny County Administrative Code, and rules regarding professional responsibility.
• General trial tactics and procedures.
• Judicial and administrative procedures.

Skill In

• Electronic technology such as Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and DocuSign.
• Office case management programs (HighQ).
• Legal research platforms (Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, and Co-Counsel).

Ability To

• Effectively interact with County personnel, Law Department colleagues, opposing counsel, and litigants to resolve disputes and negotiate agreements and to effectively defend Allegheny County in legal matters.
• Write in an effective and cogent manner.
• Meet deadlines (work assignments, deadline submissions of legal documents to courts, boards, and agencies, etc.).
• Work independently and under the supervision of other lawyers.
• Review and analyze proposed statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Develop effective working relationships with Law Department colleagues, county employees, court employees, attorneys, and other parties with whom regular contact occurs.

Pay

$68,000.00 to $75,000.00 per year.

Veterans' Preference will be awarded to eligible candidates.