Deputy City Solicitor

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Law Department is responsible for providing legal representation and advice to the City and its officials in numerous areas of law including but not limited to: zoning, environmental, employment, civil rights, contracts, tax, real estate and torts involving personal injury and property damage claims. Members of the legal staff also regularly attend and provide advice at meetings of the City Council and sub-committees thereof and to City boards and commissions. In addition to drafting ordinances and other legal documents, numerous verbal and written opinions are rendered to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, and Department Heads.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Deputy City Solicitor will perform a variety of complex, high level legal, administrative, managerial, and supervisory work assisting the City Solicitor in overseeing and directing all Law Department activities as set forth in the Cambridge Municipal Code, Chapter 2.26. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated attorney with municipal law experience, litigation experience and supervisory experience. The successful candidate will be an organized self-starter who takes ownership of projects and tasks, but also is also able to delegate to and supervise Assistant City Solicitors. Along with the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Solicitor supervises the First Assistant City Solicitor, eight Assistant City Solicitors, and the Public Records Access Officer, who are engaged in active litigation and time-sensitive non-litigation work. The Deputy City Solicitor has direct accountability for department results. The department strives to help the City Manager, City Council, City departments, and City boards/commissions/committees achieve their goals within the parameters of the law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision and direction of the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Solicitor’s duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee and handle the prosecution and defense of all suits in which the City is a party in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
• Oversee and handle transactional matters in which the City is involved.
• Provide representation and advice to the City Manager, City Council, department heads and other City officials on a broad variety of legal issues, rights, obligations and practices under applicable federal, state and local laws, and exercise sound judgment in making decisions and rendering advice regarding the City’s legal affairs.
• Draft, review and approve advisory opinions to the City Manager, City Council, School Committee, department heads, and boards/commissions/committees.
• Draft, review and approve legislation and a wide range of legal instruments.
• Provides training to City staff and board/commission/committee members on a variety of matters.
• Regularly attend meetings, including evening meetings, of the City Council and its subcommittees, as well as meetings of other boards/commissions/committees.
• Assist in the supervision, training and evaluation of attorneys, the public records access officers and administrative support staff.
• Assist with the department’s budgeting and overall office management, including short- and long-range planning for the department.
• Assist with implementing and recommending office best practices, such as records management and case management practices.
• Perform related work as required and at the direction of the City Solicitor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris doctor degree from an accredited law school required.
• Must be a member of the Massachusetts Bar, admitted to practice before Massachusetts state and federal courts.
• Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts and federal law required.
• Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law.
• At least 10 years’ experience in Massachusetts municipal law, general civil litigation, and experience in a wide range of substantive areas of law (including zoning, employment, torts, civil rights, real estate, construction, contracts and/or environmental law) required.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise legal and administrative staff with at least 2 years’ experience in a supervisory position.
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to represent the City before an array of organizations and bodies and the public.
• Excellent writing and legal writing skills.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage a large number of projects and tasks at any given time, ability to shift gears flexibly and quickly and respond to emergency circumstances.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 4 years’ experience in a supervisory position.
• Experience working as an attorney in a municipal law department.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the City of Cambridge’s form of government, ordinances, departmental structure, operations and functioning.
• Experience appearing before municipal boards/commissions/committees.
• Experience with case management, document management and e-discovery software, and any other software used in the legal field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Answer telephones and maintain multiple files. Must read and analyze large quantities of information. Must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds at times. Must have sufficient mobility to get back and forth from office to offsite meetings and court.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is conducted primarily in an office environment with fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, computers, and other standard office equipment, but also involves meetings in other offices or facilities. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.