Description

The Senior Assistant Solicitor for Affirmative & Complex Litigation is a newly established position that will have primary responsibility for developing the County’s affirmative litigation program and handling affirmative and defensive trials and appeals in both state and federal court.  The position’s docket will regularly involve novel legal issues, constitutional concerns, and cases focused on effectuating local, statewide, and national public policy reforms.  In the affirmative litigation space, Solicitor’s Office expects to collaborate with the Office of District Attorney on cases addressing, among other things, consumer protection and public safety issues.  In addition to active litigations, the County’s litigators play an important role in providing proactive legal advice and prelitigation counseling to our clients as well as working to assist our clients in the development and further of public policy objectives.  We are looking for an attorney who can handle all phases of litigation, has excellent research, writing, and analytic skills, and can drive the development of innovative approaches to affirmative and policy-focused litigation in furtherance of the County’s interests.

The Solicitor's Office offers a collaborative work environment, where solicitors from all practice areas work together to develop the best solutions for clients. The Senior Assistant Solicitor will report directly to the Chief of Litigation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct meetings with clients.
Provide legal guidance to clients.
Conduct legal research.
Develop case strategies, including pathways to early dispute resolution.
Conduct mediations and lead dispute resolution efforts.
Draft and timely file pleadings, motions and briefs.
Take and defend depositions;
Prepare for and participate in hearings, trials and other legal proceedings.
Maintain accurate and current records of all case developments.
Provide clients and insurers with case status updates.
Oversee outside counsel.
Collaborate effectively with other governmental organizations as well as public and private partners on litigation and prelitigation matters.
Identify and develop litigation approaches to client policy objectives.
Responsibilities may include the following:
          o Reviewing and drafting contracts.
          o Representing the County in real estate transactions.
          o Representing the County at mental health commitment hearings.
          o Representing County-related boards at public meetings.
          o Representing County social service agencies in administrative proceedings.
          o Providing day-to-day legal advice to County departments.
          o Other duties as assigned by supervising attorneys.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Credentials
 Law degree from an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar or another state bar with a commitment to becoming a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

Experience, Core Competencies, and Skills
Minimum of 7 years of litigation experience, with a focus on complex civil litigation preferred.
Excellent analytical skills both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
Excellent negotiation, oral argument, and deposition and/or trial skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn applicable laws, court procedures, precedents, and other applicable rules and processes and identify key rules that apply to a specific matter.
Ability to analyze large and complex amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose effective and workable solutions.
Ability to be a team player and develop an inclusive and collegial work environment and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Excellent judgment and critical thinking in time-sensitive and high-pressure situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions;

Ability to sit, stand and walk for moderate periods of time. Occasionally may be required to do medium level physical work that would include reaching, walking, pushing, pulling and lifting.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

About the County and Agency Description
Located in southeast Pennsylvania, Montgomery County (Montco) is the third largest County in Pennsylvania, home to more than 850,000 residents, 62 distinctive municipalities, and has a wide array of parks, historical attractions, arts organizations, outdoor markets, and special events, including the International Spring Festival, the largest diversity event in the state. Since 2010, the County has become more racially and ethnically diverse, with significant growth in Latinx and Asian populations and the County recognizes that serving a more diverse community necessitates increasing its cultural responsiveness and equity-mindedness and is continuing to focus on these areas.

The County has a workforce of 2900 people working as public servants to make a positive impact. As both local government and an employer, MontCo is works to align its culture and business practices to be a vibrant example of equity, inclusion, and belonging for all. The County is committed to: (1) maintaining an inclusive, productive, supportive, open, innovative, and equitable workplace where every individual is valued for their unique characteristics; (2) fostering respect, understanding and acceptance of differences; and (3) enabling employees to reach their full potential, thus, enhancing and nurturing the relationships among staff and optimizing the quality of services to its residents and the public. Working for the County is a great career step and offers a strong workplace environment.

The Montgomery County Solicitor’s Office acts as the civil lawyers for the County government, providing legal advice to the County Commissioners and the County’s departments, agencies, boards, and commissions related to the exercise of their official powers. In this capacity, our team of 15 attorneys works on complex and cutting-edge issues ranging from public  and safety to commerce, parks and infrastructure, community development, and elections. The Office orients its work towards partnership with our clients and creating a positive and concrete impact for the County and its residents through our work as public service attorneys. We promote an inclusive environment that values collaboration, collegiality and accountability. The Solicitor’s Office attorneys work together across practice areas to develop the best solutions for clients. The Office is committed to continued development of our attorneys’ legal skills and careers.