The city is getting a new solicitor.

Current solicitor Tom Finn of Wagner & Finn Attorneys at Law has accepted a job as full-time in-house counsel for New Pig Corp., and so is giving up his work for the city — and his place in the law firm.

Finn’s partner Mike Wagner will become Altoona’s new solicitor, under terms of the same contract that governed Finn’s work for the city, which began four years ago.

Finn has been responsive to City Council’s concerns and interactions with him have been “productive and positive,” said Councilman Dave Butterbaugh at the meeting this week in which council approved Wagner’s appointment.

Finn “always answered my questions,” said Councilwoman Shelley Clinich. “And I always have a lot of questions.”

He showed “true professionalism,” and his guidance was widely trusted, another city official said.

“It was a pleasure to work with you all,” Finn replied.

Wagner has been an attorney since 1983.

He has represented the city and Cambria County in workers compensation cases for years and has had experience with school district representation, he said.

Over the past couple of months, he’s worked with Finn to ensure a smooth transition, bringing Wagner up to date on recent legal issues and trending city topics, Wagner said.

The solicitor’s role is to help steer city officials “clear of any legal pitfalls,” while providing guidance on “what the law says and how it is to be applied,” Wagner said.

Cultivating interpersonal relations and building trust is an important part of it, he said.

Based on the contract, the city pays $6,000 a month for regular solicitor services and $150 an hour for “special services” such as work on litigation against the city or city officials in state for federal court.

Wagner’s appointment is effective Friday.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.