As a new Democratic majority prepares to take over Bucks County government, the Marseglia-Harvie Transition Committee announced Monday they are replacing the Republican-majority appointed solicitor with their own pick.
Attorney Joe Khan will take the job as the county’s chief lawyer on Monday, January 6 following the Bucks County Commissioners’ inauguration in Doylestown Borough.
Khan comes to Bucks County after working as a public interest attorney with Langer, Grogan & Diver P.C., which involved him representing county, municipal, and state governments in affirmative civil litigation. He works as a adjunct faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a fellow at Litigation Counsel of America, which awarded him with the Peter Perlman Service Award in 2018.
Khan has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. During his time as a federal prosecutor, he led city hall corruption probes in Allentown and Reading.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Joe’s reputation, expertise, and principles leading our legal team,” said Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia. “Joe’s background, experience, and values align perfectly with our vision for transparency, ethics, and excellence in county governance.”
According to the Marseglia-Harvie Transition Committee, Khan recently advised Delaware County’s transition team on criminal justice and is a member of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs. He has been active with several nonprofit boards and civic groups.
Khan ran for Philadelphia District Attorney and lost the primary election to Larry Krasner in 2017.
Donald Williams, solicitor for the county until Khan takes over, took the job in January 2019 after longtime solicitor Michael Klimpl retired.
The solicitor’s office represents all three commissioners and all divisions and departments serving under the direction of the commissioners as the general counsel for the county.
