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:

Working under the direct supervision and direction of the City Solicitor, Deputy City Solicitor, and First Assistant City Solicitor, assists the City Solicitor in all duties as set forth in the Cambridge Municipal Code, Chapter 2.26, §§2.26.020 through 2.26.041. The Assistant City Solicitor conducts the prosecution and defense of civil litigation in state and federal court proceedings and administrative proceedings to which the City is a party and provides representation as to a broad variety of municipal issues. Drafts legislation and a wide range of legal instruments and renders advisory opinions to City officials, boards, and commissions. Assists in the supervision of clerical, paralegal, and investigative staff. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated attorney with municipal law experience, litigation experience, and experience in at least one of the following areas: employment/labor, zoning, real estate, construction, contracts, personal injury, civil rights and/or environmental law. The successful candidate will be an organized self-starter who takes ownership of projects and tasks. 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, Deputy City Solicitor, and First Assistant City Solicitor, the Assistant City Solicitor’s duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Prosecute and defend suits in which the City is a party in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
• 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 advisory opinions to the City Manager, City Council, School Committee, department heads, and boards/commissions/committees.
• Draft and review legislation and a wide range of legal instruments.
• Perform 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.
• Experience with the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law.
• A minimum of three years’ experience practicing law required.
• Substantial experience in civil litigation, as well as some experience in municipal law, employment/labor, zoning, real estate, construction, contracts, personal injury, civil rights and/or environmental law.
• Experience performing legal research and preparation and trial of cases.
• Strong oral communication skills 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 quickly and with flexibly 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 5 years’ 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 representing municipal elected and appointed officials, employees, committees, commissions and boards.
• 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 the 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.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter