73 Pa.C.S. Ch. 33

73 Pa.C.S. § 3301 Township solicitor.

The board of commissioners may appoint and determine the compensation of a township solicitor and, as needed, special counsel. The township solicitor or special counsel shall be licensed to practice law in this Commonwealth and may be an individual or a law firm, partnership, association or professional corporation. The township solicitor or special counsel shall serve at the pleasure of the board of commissioners.

73 Pa.C.S. § 3302 Control of legal matters.

(a) Legal matters.--Except if the board of commissioners has appointed special counsel for a specific matter, the township solicitor shall advise on the legal matters of the township. (b) Additional counsel.--A department or officer of the township, except as otherwise provided by the laws of this Commonwealth, may not employ or retain additional counsel without the consent or ratification of the board of commissioners.

73 Pa.C.S. § 3303 Duties of solicitor.

The township solicitor or special counsel, as applicable, shall have the following duties: (1) Prepare or approve, if directed or requested by the board of commissioners, bonds, obligations, contracts, leases, conveyances, ordinances and assurances to which the township, or any department of the township, may be a party. (2) Commence and prosecute all actions brought by the township for or on account of any of the estates, rights, trusts, privileges, claims or demands of the township before a court in this Commonwealth. (3) Defend the township or a township officer against all actions or suits brought against the township or township officer in which any of the estates, rights, privileges, trusts, ordinances or accounts of the township may be brought in question before a court in this Commonwealth. (4) Furnish the board of commissioners and the township committees, upon request, with an opinion in writing upon a question of law, which may be submitted by the board of commissioners and the township committees in their official capacities. (5) Perform any other professional act incident to the office which the township solicitor or special counsel may be authorized or required to perform by the board of commissioners or by an ordinance or resolution.