Gross Unanimously Confirmed as Allentown's New Solicitor

At a special meeting of Allentown City Council last night, Attorney John F "Jack" Gross was unanimously confirmed as Allentown's Solicitor. He succeeds Matt Kloiber, who has resigned to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. 

Mayor Matt Tuerk told Council he was very thankful for the services that Kloiber provided, After Kloiber informed him in early May that he would be stepping down, he approached Gross as one of the first lawyers he got to know after moving to the Queen City. He said he was "incredibly pleased and honored" that Gross would consider this new role. He called the Solicitor an "incredibly important position." He said every decision he makes is first vetted by the legal department.  

Though Gross' salary was originally set at $50,000, there was a possibility that the actual amount paid could be much higher, depending on billable hours. The parties agreed to an annual payment of $70,000, with the understanding that it would be capped at that amount. 

Tuerk said Gross would be paid annually, with no benefits. 

Gross is the grandson of John "Jack" Gross and great-grandson of Malcolm Gross, both of whom served as Mayors of Allentown. He said he considered the nomination "an honor."

Council member Cynthia Mota told Gross, "I like the fact that you went to Allentown Schools." He graduated from William Allen High School. "I went to Dieruff," joked Council President Daryl Hendricks. 

Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach asked whether Gross donated to any members of City Council and was told he had not.

Council member Santo Napoli, who has been represented by Gross, called him a person of  "the highest integrity." 

Gross is the managing partner at Allentown's Gross McGinley law firm. 

In other business, Nadeem Eli Shahzad was unanimously confirmed as Human Resources Director with an annual salary of $128,000.

Mayor Matt Tuerk told City Council that he advertised for the position twice, and received no qualified applicants. He had to use a search firm. He said public sector experience is "critically important." Shahzad's interest in Human Resources is in "serving people," said the Mayor. He will have to update an employee handbook that has needed one since 2009 and change a culture in which employees are disrespected. 

"Human Resources is one of the most important functions we have," said Shahzad. He called Allentown's 800 employees "ambassadors" for the city. He is a Pakistani immigrant who came her with $200. He has two Master's degrees from Villanova and Long Island University. He worked for Nassau County and several other public entities for 10 years, and has also worked in the private sector. He is also an adjunct professor. 

He told Council member Ed Zucal that he currently lives in New Jersey, but if confirmed, will establish residence in Allentown. 

Council member Candida Affa told Shahzad that he wears many hats, but HR Director is a demanding position. "My major responsibility is where my paycheck comes from," said Shahzad. 

Jack Gross Will Be Paid $50k If Confirmed As Allentown's New Solicitor

 Allentown Communications Manager Genesis Ortega told me yesterday that Attorney John "Jack" Gross will be paid $50,000 if confirmed on Wednesday as Allentown's new Solicitor. 

"You mean $150,000, right?"

"No, I said $50,000." 

That's a pretty good deal for a very well-established attorney whose grandfather (also named Jack) and great-grandfather (Malcolm) both served the City as Mayor. In fact, Jack's father, another Malcolm, has written a riveting piece about "Jack's Five Years" as Allentown Mayor. It's no puff piece. He criticizes his father as much as he praises him.  I came away from that realizing that elected officials should try top think 25-50 years ahead before deciding on any policy. 

Gross was a little reticent to talk about his appointment, noting that it must be confirmed by City Council.

I suspect he will be unanimously confirmed.

Matt Kloiber was a full-time Solicitor, but Gross will continue the tradition of part-time Solicitors with established reputations. He told me that his firm, and not he, is Whitehall Township's Solicitor. He advised me that in event of a conflict, that matter can be handled by a conflicts counsel.  

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 ... ."