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Thursday, January 22, 2026

Matt Deschler Considered as NorCo Council's New Solicitor

A life-long Bethlehemite and well-respected attorney is under consideration as Northampton County Council's new Solicitor. Matt Deschler, a Liberty High and University of Pa grad, was interviewed by Council's Personnel Committee yesterday afternoon. Council will vote on his appointment tonight. 

Deschler, currently a partner at a Bethlehem law firm, is a 2011 magna cum laude grad of Temple Law School who started his legal career as a Clerk to former Judge Tony Beltrami. He has an extensive municipal law practice. He has been an Assistant Solicitor in Bethlehem since 2014, is Borough Solicitor in East Bangor, alternate zoning Solicitor in Salisbury Tp and zoning Solicitor in Hanover Tp. 

This involvement with these municipalities led Council member Dave Holland to ask Deschler whether he might be conflicted at times. "I don't foresee many issues," responded Deschler. His municipal work appears to be focused on land use matters, with which county government has no involvement. He agreed that some instances of a possible conflict may arise but suggested approaching it on a "case-by-case" basis. 

Under the Home Rule Charter, the County Solicitor is prohibited from serving in any other municipality, but there is no such bar for County Council Solicitors. 

If appointed, Deschler's salary will be $72,580 per annum. It is a part-time position for someone who will give it a full-time effort. I have often seen him doing legal research in the law library. Chris Spadoni, his predecessor, told me, "That's cheating."

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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM

    Don't know this gentleman and wish him luck. But replacing CS cannot be too hard.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 8:27 AM

    73000 for a part time position?????

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    1. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 10:47 AM

      The man is an absolute bargain as far as fee structures go for competent attorneys go.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM

      This is the most full time part time job out there.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2026 at 10:04 AM

      State reps and state senators get over a hundred, a car and a pension. It’s pretty much part time too shhhhhh don’t tell anybody.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 9:50 AM

    As Jaz-Z would say, "It's politics as usual" Pays to have a connected father I guess.

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  4. Bernie O'HareJanuary 22, 2026 at 10:50 AM

    He may have a "connected" father but is highly qualified in his own right and is an excellent lawyer. He will be an asset

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 11:22 AM

    As a past client and someone who has also observed him working on behalf of others, I can say he is an excellent attorney with rock solid integrity. He'd do a good job in this position.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 12:53 PM

    Will he keep his full time job?

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    Replies
    1. Bernie O'HareJanuary 22, 2026 at 1:06 PM

      Matt's full-time job is as an attorney with numerous clients, and this now includes county council. As I've already stated, he will be an asset and one sorely needed. You won't see him interject himself on policy. He will limit himself to responding to legal questions. He will make sure he is familiar with the Charter, Administrative Code and the County Code for questions not answered by the first two instruments.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2026 at 9:23 AM

      Hope he will carefully consider recusing himself should he find himself potentially in a conflicting situation

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 3:39 PM

    He’s a fantastic lawyer and I couldn’t think of a better choice

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2026 at 5:57 PM

    Attorneys talk too much.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2026 at 1:20 PM

    Here's a rarity - the Bethlehem/NorCo Democratic "mafia" gets a person slotted as expected, but he actually is a superbly competent selection. Best wishes for a successful tenure in the Solicitor's position.

    ReplyDelete

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