Daniel Conlon named Leetsdale solicitor

Leetsdale officials have new legal counsel.

Attorney Daniel Conlon of the firm Tucker Arensberg was hired as the borough’s new solicitor via unanimous vote at council’s Dec. 8 meeting.

Council had interviewed attorneys from 10 different firms on Nov. 29.

“What made him stand out from the bunch was his experience, the support of a law firm such as Tucker Arensberg and a very diverse set of experience that would serve the borough well in all different areas,” council president Patricia Lee said after the vote. “I was really looking for an attorney that had experience in the area of land use. He checked off that box.”

Council vice president Maria Napolitano said she was impressed with Conlon’s legal competence, personal presence and strength of his Pittsburgh-based law firm.

“We conducted a really comprehensive interviewing process,” Napolitano said. “Everybody approached it from a different perspective. Some people asked questions about legal matters or particular expertise.

“Other people (focused on) personal presence, rapport and he just gave the best of both. We interviewed 10 firms. It was an advertised open meeting right here. Everyone had a half an hour for a presentation and follow-up questions.”

Conlon, 39, of Ben Avon, serves as solicitor of his borough as well as Avalon and Ross Township Civil Service Commission. He told Leetsdale officials it was an honor to represent another Quaker Valley community.

“I think there is a benefit to representing communities that are along (Route) 65, which is where I live,” he said.

Conlon was born in Chicago, raised in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and studied law at Duquesne University.

He is the co-chair of his firm’s hospitality group, on the board of directors at the the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corp. and the Latino Community Center in Pittsburgh, as well as the board of governors at the Duquesne Law Alumni Association to name a few affiliations.

He was hired at a rate of $155 per hour and $500 per meeting, including travel and pre- and post-meeting discussions with borough officials.

He takes over for attorney Megan Turnbull, who resigned early this month after 10 years as Leetsdale solicitor.

Turnbull said in October, when her resignation was announced, that work at her firm and with other clients required more of her time and attention.

She is a partner at Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC, where she works as a solicitor for municipalities, school districts and nonprofits. She also serves as labor counsel and special counsel, and manages the firm’s tax assessment and tax collection practice groups.

“She served the borough well,” Lee said. “We’re sad to see her go, but we are excited about entering in to 2023 with our new solicitor.”