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: LawPosting Type: Announcement
Salary: $124,197 per year
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: ExemptGeneral Requirements:
Each applicant must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or the 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 completed supplemental questions.
- The successful applicant must become a resident of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must remain a resident throughout employment.
- Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
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 must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire. 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 via email.
WORK EXPERIENCE: The application requires a minimum of seven (7) years of full-time, complex transactional/contract experience. Prior or current representation of municipal or governmental agencies required. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Juris Doctorate Degree and an active Pennsylvania license or be eligible to practice in Pennsylvania on the start date. (See NOTE under General Application Requirements regarding education/training verification.)
- Must provide a writing sample -please attach to your application prior to submission.
EQUIVALENCY: None permitted for this position. Therefore, no education/training and/or work experience may be substituted toward the qualifying requirements listed above.
If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.
- Written: None required for this position.
- Performance: None required for this position.
- Medical: None required for this position.
- Manages lawyers and staff effectively in the Municipal Group. Manages workload for the entire Group, assigning projects and ensuring completion. Trains new lawyers to the Group. Ensures that lawyers are supported and overseen with respect to their work.
- Handles transactional projects including significant leases, bond issuances, real estate sales agreements and licenses, easements, software licenses, professional services agreements, and intergovernmental cooperation agreements.
- Drafts memorandum opinions on a wide variety of municipal issues including those involving the First Amendment, ethics, procurement, intellectual property, Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law authority, zoning, contracts, statutory interpretation, and real property. Communicates with internal clients and ensures that Group is responding expeditiously to the needs of their clients.
- Drafts and/or reviews legislation, regulations, forms, rules, plans, and policies for passage, implementation, or enforcement in compliance with applicable law.
- Maintains and develops expertise about laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting municipal legal issues.
- Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required by the City Solicitor.

