Pittsburgh City Council on Thursday formally introduced Daniel Friedson as council’s first council solicitor.
With over 20 years of experience, Friedson will advise council on legal matters.
City Council last fall decided to hire its own solicitor. Council had previously relied on the legal advice of the city’s law department, which often represents the views of the mayor.
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The city solicitor and the city’s law department have legal jurisdiction over all administrative, legislative and municipal matters for the city. Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter, however, allows council to appoint its own independent legal representative, separate from the mayor’s office and law department.
Friedson said he is committed to working with the law department, but will maintain legal fidelity to City Council.
He was hired at a starting annual salary of $90,000.
He received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and previously worked as an assistant solicitor for Pittsburgh’s law department. He previously served as director of code enforcement and zoning officer for Wilkinsburg.
