City Solicitor First Associate

Position Purpose/Summary

Essential Functions

• Acts for the City Solicitor in his/her absence or as delegated; provides continuity and legal assistance in the affairs of the office of the City Solicitor.
• Provides legal advice, counsel, and opinions for the Mayor, City Council, boards, commissions, committees, officials, office heads, and as assigned by the City Solicitor.
• Studies statues, ordinances, precedents, bylaws, rules and regulations and carries on related legal research.
• Prepares ordinances, orders, resolutions, contracts, leases, deeds, obligations, and other legal instruments and documents.
• Prepares briefs and pleadings, and presents and argues in court, actions, suits and proceedings brought by or against the City, municipal offices, or a City official in his/her official capacity.
• Appears before the legislature, its committees, and various state bodies of quasi-judicial nature, to represent the City’s interests.
• Interviews witnesses, confers with parties, attorneys, and municipal officials, and otherwise investigates suits against the City; negotiates out-of-court settlements.
• Attends meetings and hearings of various municipal boards and commissions to provide legal advice and counsel.
• Supervises the work of office clerical personnel and professional personnel as delegated.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of common and statutory law, municipal ordinances, established legal precedents, and sources of legal reference.
• Considerable knowledge of the legal bases of the structure and function of municipal government.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, materials of legal research and investigation.
• Considerable knowledge of legal pleadings and practices, and effective techniques of presenting cases in court.
• Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence including trial experience in state and federal courts.
• Ability to analyze and prepare legal documents and instruments.
• Ability to perform independent research and to interpret laws and precedents.
• Ability to present evidence and other legal material effectively in written or oral form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, court officials, and the general public.

Education and Experience

• Juris doctorate degree.
• Minimum of ten years of law experience, particularly with trial court experience on a variety of claims
• Admission to practice law before all of the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

NOTICE: The following benefits are contingent upon hours worked and bargaining vs. non-bargaining agreements.

Medical/Dental/ Vision
75% City Subsidized
All health insurance plans include Dental and Vision

Retirement
Available to employees working 20+ hours per week

Paid Vacation
Earned vacation time can be taken after 6 months of service. Earned time is accrued.

Paid Holidays
All City employees receive 11 paid holidays per year.

Paid Sick Time
Full time employees are immediately eligible to begin accruing 1 1/4 days per month which can be taken after 6 months of service. Supplemental Long Term and Short disability coverage is available to employees at the employee cost.

Paid Personal Days
Use up to 3 of your accrued sick days as Personal days. Personal days cannot be rolled over into the next calendar year.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
A means for eligible employees to balance work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for authorized reasons.

Training
On the job and instructor led courses available

Employee Assistance Program
Free, confidential and personal assistance to employees and their families to resolve issues that affect their personal lives as well as job performance.

Direct Deposit
Easy, convenient, and free!