Government Center Room 440 17 South Seventh Street Allentown, Pa. 18101-2400 Phone: 610-782-3180 Fax: 610-871-2796
Department of Law
The Department of Law is a full-service legal office providing advice and representation to all three branches of County government – Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary, as well as the Sheriff, the Coroner, the Clerk of Judicial Records, the District Attorney, and the Controller. The Department also represents the County’s Board of Elections, Retirement Board, and Agricultural Preservation Board.
County Executive Josh Siegel appointed Samuel E. Cohen, Esq. as the Lehigh County Solicitor in January 2026. Before assuming this role, Attorney Cohen served as Assistant Solicitor for Lehigh County while building a distinguished commercial, employment, municipal, and business litigation practice in the Lehigh Valley. A native of the region and leader within the legal landscape, Attorney Cohen brings deep public and private sector experience, a steady approach to conflict resolutions, and a strong commitment to the public service that will benefit the County and its residents.
Eman H. Jarrah, Esq. and Sarah M. Murray, Esq. both serve as full-time Deputy Solicitors in the Department of Law, handling day-to-day matters involving Lehigh County. Part-time Assistant Solicitors include David M. Backenstoe, Esq., E. Keller Kline, III, Esq., Joseph F. Leeson, III, Esq., Joshua S. Mazin, Esq., Lucas J. Repka, Esq., Catharine M. Roseberry, Esq., Stuart T. Shmookler, Esq., and Charles F. Smith, Jr., Esq. Key staff in the Department also include Jennifer L. Michener and Sheila Dutra-Michel.
The services provided include the preparation, review, and interpretation of all contracts, the defense of litigation in state and federal court involving the County and its representatives, representation of the County in real estate tax assessment appeals, collection of debts owed to the County, and advising the County on diverse matters involving employment, civil rights, real estate, procurement, emergency management, nursing homes, intergovernmental relations, and human services.
The Department drafts or reviews legislation and related materials for the Board of Commissioners and prepares all of the materials required for each month’s Sheriff’s Sale of real estate.
In addition, Lehigh County’s Open Records Officer is part of the Department of Law. Sheila Dutra-Michel is the Open Records Officer and receives and responds to requests for records and ensures the County’s compliance with record-keeping requirements under the Right-to-Know Law.