Department of Law

Mission

The Department of Law serves as general counsel to the City of Pittsburgh and the entire City government. It provides legal advice and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City officials and employees, departments, commissions, and other administrative units. The Department of Law represents the City in all legal aspects of its daily governmental functions. It also advocates for the City in litigation, including in cases that impact public policy and City residents’ quality of life. The Department of Law’s experienced attorneys and professional staff provide proactive, high-quality legal counsel to the City.

Departmental/Bureau Overview

The Department of Law is divided into several general service areas or divisions as follows: Federal Litigation - The Federal Litigation Division represents the City in litigation in federal court, at both the trial court and appellate levels. It handles a diverse range of matters implicating constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues, including the defense of actions arising under civil rights statute 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and federal anti-discrimination laws. It also brings affirmative federal litigation on the City’s behalf.

State Litigation - The State Litigation represents the City in litigation in state court, including in the Court of Common Pleas, Commonwealth Court, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The State Litigation Division also represents the City as a plaintiff in matters involving non-payment of amounts owed the City, collection as the result of damage to City property, and the prosecution of code enforcement cases.

Labor and Employment - The Labor and Employment Division is responsible for labor negotiations and contract administration for collective bargaining units representing City employees. The Labor and Employment Division handles employee grievances and arbitrations filed against the City. It is also responsible for providing advice regarding employment legal issues and compliance.

General Municipal - The General Municipal Division drafts and reviews all City contracts, handles real estate matters, zoning issues, environmental issues (non-litigation), and regulatory interpretation. This division also responds directly to all departments and City Council for advice and counsel when needed.

Claims - The Claims Division investigates and determines the validity of various claims against the City. Right to Know / Open Records Office - The City’s Open Records Office is responsible for responding to Right to Know requests submitted to the City and providing access to public records to the public at large while complying with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

Office of Equal Protection - Established in 2023, and brought into the Law Department in 2026, the Office of Equal Protection enforces the Paid Sick Days Act, the Prevailing Wage ordinance, the Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity for Persons Previously Convicted ordinance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Disruptive Properties ordinance.

2026 Accomplishments

• Favorably resolved more than 65 complex lawsuits in state and federal court, saving the City millions of dollars.
• Settled cases with no contribution from the City, and won multiple dispositive motions resulting in no payment from the City.
• Achieved favorable outcomes in labor arbitrations and other employment matters.
• Drafted or reviewed over 575 contracts and reduced average contracting time.
• Finalized investigations for more than 300 claims.
• Reduced case processing times for quiet title actions to an average of four months; in prior years, the process would often take multiple years.
• Responded to more than 1,390 Right to Know requests. 107

52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES 55 - OTHER SERVICES 56 - SUPPLIES