Primary purpose:
The Assistant City Solicitor handles all stages of general municipal litigation, including representation of the City in federal and state courts and administrative agencies. This position will also represent the Newton Public Schools in all stages of litigation arising from public sector school law, with a focus on special education litigation.
The ideal candidate will have experience in civil litigation, including courtroom experience, taking and defending depositions, and handling discovery and motion practice. Experience practicing before the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) and advising on special education matters is preferred but not required. A successful applicant will also possess the flexibility and curiosity to expand into other areas of municipal law as needed, such as advising and guiding City departments on matters of legal compliance. All other duties as directed, required and as the circumstances dictate.
Supervision:
Scope and Judgment: The Assistant City Solicitor exercises independent judgment in developing legal strategy, assigning cases, and ensuring effective representation of the City in all litigation matters.
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the City Solicitor and Deputy City Solicitor, who provide policy guidance and review of results for conformance with departmental goals, legal standards, and City objectives. Performs duties with a high degree of professional independence and discretion in carrying out responsibilities.
Supervision Given: None.
Essential Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
• Represent the City and Newton Public Schools in all stages of civil litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including but not limited to cases and complaints involving workplace discrimination, retaliation, employment law, wrongful termination, civil rights claims, personal injury, property damage, land use, contract disputes, and enforcement actions.
• Counsel and represent Newton Public Schools on all facets of special education and education of persons with disabilities including section 504 and the ADA, including hearings, mediation and litigation at the BSEA.
• Provide in-house counsel representation and legal support to the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, the Superintendent, School Committee and their General Counsel, Boards and Commissions, and Department Heads in a variety of ways such as litigation strategy, negotiation strategies, investigate claims and complaints by or against the City and recommend action to be taken.
• Prepare cases for administrative hearings, trial and appeals including discovery, depositions, motion practice, and first- or second-chair jury and bench trial responsibility.
• Advise and support the City in the development of policies and procedures.
• Negotiate, draft, and review contracts.
• Attend occasional night meetings as necessary or required.
• Report directly to the Deputy City Solicitor and City Solicitor.
• Attend staff meetings, cross departmental meetings, training and stays abreast of professional associations and trends relevant to this work.
• Perform all other related work and duties as required, directed, assigned or as the circumstances warrant.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience:
Juris Doctorate; with at least three (3) years of experience as a lawyer in a governmental legal office, private in-house counsel, or law firm setting; experience in trying cases in federal and/or state court and litigating matters before administrative agencies such as the BSEA and MCAD; licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge.
Full comprehension of the legal practice of representing a governmental entity/employer.
Ability.
Ability to exercise good judgement and focus on accuracy and detail as required by the job; Work collaboratively with other attorneys in the office; Present information effectively, which may be controversial in nature and respond to questions from outside organizations, clients, citizens, or employees of the City. Ability to build successful working relationships across the City’s diverse variety of clients.
Skills.
Exceptional analytical skills; Excellent, clear and effective writing and organizational skills; Accuracy and attention to detail; Highly motivated self-starter; Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
Work is performed under typical office conditions, with little exposure to occupational risks; has interruptions during the day from inquiries by the general public, business organizations or contacts and other city personnel.
May have contact with the general public, other town departments and officials, outside agencies, businesses, vendors, and other governmental organizations and attorneys, etc. Communication is by means of telephone, personal discussion, and correspondence and involves discussing routine information requiring patience and courtesy.
Has access to confidential information regarding personnel records, policy and privileged documents.
Physical requirements:
(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Work involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods while performing computer and desk-based tasks in a typical office environment. The position frequently involves communicating with others in person, by telephone, and in writing, and requires the ability to exchange accurate information in these settings. The employee operates standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers, and accesses file cabinets and office supplies, which may require positioning self and moving within the office. Visual acuity is required to review and prepare documents, including legal materials, correspondence, and data on a computer screen. The position may occasionally involve moving files, documents, and office materials weighing up to 10 pounds. Physical requirements are limited to those necessary to perform the essential job functions.
Performance Standard:
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)
THE CITY:
The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.
OUR GOVERNMENT:
Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.
AS AN EMPLOYER:
The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.
Human Resources Diversity Statement
We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:
The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.