Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. At the time of application, you must submit the following:

 

1.          A resume with the application. (A resume may not be submitted for an application.)

2.          A legal writing sample which demonstrates your legal research and writing skills. (No more than five (5) pages.)   

 

For applicants who have graduated from law school within the last three years, a law school transcript also is requested, but not required to be considered for an interview. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application.

Reporting to the Solicitor of Allegheny County or their designee, this position provides legal counsel and advice to the Allegheny County Housing Authority, including interpreting applicable statutes, laws, ordinances and regulations.

• Provides legal counsel and advice to the Allegheny County Housing Authority, including interpreting applicable statutes, laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Performs legal research.
• In litigation matters - prepares legal pleadings and provides legal representation on behalf of the Allegheny County Housing Authority including active participation in pre-trial practice, pre-trial hearings, trials, and appellate proceedings in state and federal courts. 
• Represents Allegheny County Housing Authority in administrative matters before various state and federal agencies.
• Drafts, reviews, edits and finalizes legal agreements such as contracts, leases, memorandums of understanding, and license agreements on behalf of the Allegheny County Housing Authority.
• Responds to Right to Know requests.
• Drafts Solicitor opinion letters and ordinances.
• Reviews and approves various legal agreements for the Allegheny County Housing Authority through Docusign.

·        Appear for arguments on landlord-tenant matters and advocate for the Housing Authority at those arguments.

·        Engage in post award/verdict activity such as entering judgment and filing for a Writ of Possession.

·        Attend Housing Authority Board meetings, with a working knowledge of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act and the proper parameters of executive sessions, public meetings and public notice.

• Perform other legal work as required or requested.

• Employment law, tort law, administrative law, contract law, civil rights 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.
• Landlord-tenant matters, including knowledge concerning Pennsylvania’s Landlord-Tenant Act of 1951.
• Consequences of a bankruptcy filing by a tenant, including the automatic stay of collection and enforcement efforts in state court and in pre-litigation.

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Docusign.
• Office case management programs.
• Legal research platforms (Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis).

• Effectively interact with County personnel to defend Allegheny County in legal matters and also able to interact with the Law Department colleagues, opposing counsel, and litigants to resolve disputes and negotiate agreements.
• Draft pleadings, including Complaints following a tenant’s appeal from MDJ judgments for money and/or possession.

·        Work with Housing Authority personnel, including site property managers, in preparing cases for MDJ hearings, Arbitration hearings and bench or jury trials following an appeal from an Arbitration award.

• Write in an effective and cogent manner.
• Meet deadlines for assigned work and deadlines for the submission of legal documents to courts, boards and agencies.
• Work independently as required.
• 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.
• Travel to various locations throughout the county as required by the position and occasional travel out-of-county or out-of-state to attend trainings or conferences.