Assistant City Solicitor

The city of Waltham is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant City Solicitor to provide legal counsel, representation, advocacy, prosecution, defense and litigation services, with a particular focus on municipal land use.  Under the general supervision of the City Solicitor, this position will require defending the city in state and federal courts and representing the city before administrative agencies. Under the general supervision of the City Solicitor, this position will require the successful applicant to provide legal counsel on land use, zoning, conservation and planning matters and represent the city in in real estate matters and transactions, as directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions of this position will require the following:

• Conducting legal research and communicating the results in legal memoranda to both courts and city boards, committees, City Council and department heads;
• Performing review and analysis of cases for appropriate and fair dispositions;
• Working with witnesses, conducting internal investigations, and interviewing clients, employees, claimants, and others as necessary for trial preparation and other city legal matters;
• Processing and responding to claims against the city for monetary damages;
• Drafting and amending zoning and general ordinances;
• Representing the city in real estate transactions;
• Adhering to established standards of performance within a broad framework of policies and objectives as set forth by City officials, City Ordinances, and Massachusetts General Laws;
• Maintaining current knowledge of all legal aspects affecting municipal government operations through attendance at conferences, seminars and through literature review;
• Performing similar or related work as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.

REQUIRED SKILLS: This position requires the following:

• Strong advocacy and courtroom experience;
• The ability to draft, serve, and file legal documents, such as discovery request and responses, pleadings, memoranda, orders, findings of fact and rulings of law, trial documents, witness preparation questions, and mediation and arbitration memoranda;
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of the Waltham City Ordinances, the Zoning Act, Subdivision Control Law, the Wetlands Protection Act, and other Massachusetts and federal constitutional and statutory provisions relating to municipalities;
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence, civil procedure, and appellate procedure;
• The ability to speak and communicate in a clear and concise manner;
• The ability to understand complex information and render legal advice;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently;
• The ability to exercise discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues;

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Minimum requirements for this position are as follows:

• Four-year undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from an ABA accredited law Sshool;
• Member of the Massachusetts Bar in good standing;
• Member of the Federal Bar in good standing;
• Five years of experience in civil litigation and/or municipal law;
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and a pre-employment physical with drug screening.

Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating a prior municipal law experience

Starting salary: $118,017 (range up to $143,053 with six annual step increases).

Excellent benefits package including city paying 89% for HMO and 87.5% for PPO with no deductibles

Deadline: Open until filled, with preference given to those applying on or before February 28, 2025

Qualified applicants should submit a city of Waltham application, resume, cover letter to:

City of Waltham, Human Resources Department, Req. 2025-77 OR jobs@city.waltham.ma.us