Municipal Attorney

Municipal Attorney

The Municipal Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the municipality, providing timely, practical, and comprehensive legal counsel to the mayor, council, municipal boards, and staff. This position manages litigation and transactional matters, drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and procurement documents, and ensures compliance with statutory requirements including zoning, land use, environmental regulations, public contracting and open records law. The Municipal Attorney represents the municipality in court and administrative proceedings, supports code enforcement and eminent domain cases, and helps develop policy to limit liability and advance municipal objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical legal advice to elected officials, municipal boards, and staff on a broad range of municipal law issues, including Home Rule Charter matters.
• Draft, review and revise ordinances, resolutions, policies, contracts, easements, rights-of-way agreements, subdivision and development agreements, and other municipal documents.
• Advise and support land use, zoning, planning and subdivision processes; prepare legal opinions for planning/zoning hearings and participate in hearing proceedings when appropriate.
• Manage litigation and dispute resolution, including defending and initiating lawsuits, handling eminent domain/condemnation matters, and coordinating with outside counsel when necessary.
• Oversee code enforcement prosecutions, nuisance abatement actions and related administrative proceedings.
• Advise on public contracting, bidding processes, procurement law and compliance; draft and review bid documents and contracts for public works and services.
• Respond to and manage Right-to-Know/Open Records requests and appeals in compliance with applicable law.
• Provide counsel on environmental and regulatory matters affecting municipal projects and property, including permitting and compliance issues.
• Review and negotiate leases, easements, rights-of-way, and agreements affecting municipal property and utilities.
• Train and advise municipal staff and board members on legal duties, conflict of interest rules, ethics, and meeting/open government requirements.
• Develop and implement policies to reduce legal and financial risk and ensure municipal compliance with state and federal laws.
• Attend council, committee and board meetings, prepare legal memoranda and formal opinions, and participate in strategic planning related to legal issues.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership to the PA bar
• 5+ years of experience in municipal or governmental law; prior experience serving as a municipal solicitor or attorney a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with land use, zoning, subdivision, easements, rights-of-way and eminent domain matters a plus
• Experience with public contracting, bidding procedures, procurement law, and drafting/negotiating municipal contracts.
• Proven litigation experience, including courtroom advocacy and handling civil and administrative proceedings.
• Familiarity with environmental and regulatory law affecting municipal operations and development projects.
• Experience managing Right-to-Know/Open Records requests and Open Meetings law compliance.
• Excellent legal research, drafting and oral communication skills; ability to prepare clear legal opinions and to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving and client-service orientation; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated integrity, professional judgment, and commitment to public service; ability to work collaboratively with elected officials, staff, and community members.
• Ability to supervise outside counsel, manage legal budgets, and maintain organized case/files management systems.

Benefits

401(k) with employer match Dental insurance Disability insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health reimbursement account Health savings account Life insurance (company paid) Paid time off Vision insurance