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Monday, June 26, 2023

UPDATED: Gross Scion Tapped As Allentown's New Solicitor

John F. "Jack" Gross, a scion of Allentown's Gross family, has been tapped by Mayor Matt Tuerk to serve as its newest solicitor. He's a grandson of John T "Jack" Gross, who served as Allentown's Mayor between 1960-1964. He's a great grandson of Malcolm T Gross, who was Allentown's Mayor from 1920-1932 and 1936-1940. 

Gross is a graduate of Muhlenberg College (magna cum laude, 1994) and Villanova University School of Law (cum laude, 1998). He's managing partner at Gross McGinley and serves as Solicitor in Whitehall Township. 

I am presuming that, f confirmed, he will resign as Whitehall Township Solicitor to avoid any perceived conflict of interest between Allentown and Whitehall Township. 

Gross will be succeeding Matthew Kloiber, who has served as City Solicitor since June 2019. When he was confirmed, it was as a full-time solicitor. It is unclear where Kloiber will practice. 

Kloiber was confirmed as a full-time Solicitor. Traditionally, City Solicitors are part-time.  

UPDATED 9:45 AM: Kloiber explains departure. - "Four years is a standard term - it is a natural ending point. I had a excellent opportunity arise that I will be going to, but I wanted to finish that four year period first. Returning to the private world was the right choice at this point for my family. I wanted to give enough time for the Mayor to select a replacement so that it would be seamless." 

Attorney Kloiber also provided his resignation letter, in which he thanks Mayor Tuerk for his "commitment to the city, its residents, its employees and its laws ... ." 

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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 8:08 AM

    One who is not summa cum laude possesses only participation ribbons.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 9:03 AM

    A few questions:

    Why is Kloiber leaving?

    How much will Gross make as solicitor and will there be the opportunity for additional billing for his firm?

    I bet Gross will keep Whitehall as well as Allentown.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 7:15 PM

      He will serve as a contractor and be paid per hour. He will not be a part time employee. He is a long time friend of Tuerk.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 9:14 AM

    Jack is a fantastic attorney. Allentown will be served well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bernie O'HareJune 26, 2023 at 9:14 AM

    Those are good questions, and I'm unable to answer them when I get a story over the weekend. Kloiber's LinkedIn fails to state where he's going. I have emailed the city for answers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 9:56 AM

    Didn't FedEd have a solicitor from the same firm?

    Maybe it will work out better for Tuerk.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 26, 2023 at 4:43 PM

    Kloiber has been a public servant for many years as a judicial clerk (including Commonwealth Court), assistant solicitor in Bethlehem and Berks County, and then solicitor in Allentown. He never sought nor received the public credit he deserved. He is an excellent lawyer with an obedience to honesty and ethics who helped keep municipal personnel in line, following the rules and the law. He has earned the opportunity to enhance his opportunities in private practice wherever that will be. It seems he has planned this change and gave the mayor plenty of time to find a replacement. He deserves a thank you from the folks in Allentown (and other municipalities) for a job well done.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bernie O'HareJune 26, 2023 at 8:47 PM

    7:15 is flat out wrong.

    ReplyDelete

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