Senior Legal Counsel-Legal Department

Title : Senior Legal Counsel - Legal Department

Pay Grade : Senior Management 1

Starting Pay : $105,858.26 - 156,116.43 / Yr.

Departmental Mission Statement : The Trial Court Legal Department reports to the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator.

The Legal Department handles a wide range of legal matters that arise within the Executive Office of the Trial Court and the Office of Court Management (OCM).

The Legal Department’s attorneys work directly with the Office of the Attorney General in its legal representation of the Trial Court, its departments, officers, judges, and employees in litigation brought in state and federal courts.

The Legal Department also represents the Trial Court in employment matters, including before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).

The Legal Department advises the Chief Justice of the Trial Court, the Court Administrator, the Directors of the OCM Departments, the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, the Office of the Jury Commissioner, and the Deputy Court Administrators and attorneys for the seven Departmental Administrative Offices of the Trial Court on legal issues and problems.

Notes : This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

This posting will remain open until filled; however, preference will be given to candidates that applied during the initial 14-day posting period.

Starting salary is based on applicant experience.

Primary Location : 2 Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108

Position Summary : Working within the Legal Department of the Executive Office of the Trial Court, the Senior Legal Counsel represents the interests of the Trial Court and assists the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel, and the Managing Attorney in advising court officials on pressing legal matters.

Senior Legal Counsel addresses an array of complex and unique legal issues and questions that arise from the administration of the Trial Court as a part of the Judicial Branch of Government.

The Senior Legal Counsel also develops and implements court policies subject to the approval of the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator.

This Senior Legal Counsel position will be responsible for work in a range of areas, including the drafting, reviewing, amending, and administering of contracts;

representing the Trial Court in Worker’s Compensation actions before the Department of Industrial Accidents, and maintaining the Complaint Language Manual, which sets forth the elements of criminal and civil offenses.

• In addition, this position involves performing legal research; drafting legal memoranda, pleadings, and other legal documents;
• actively supporting and working with the Attorney General's Office in defending litigation brought against the Trial Court or its officials, judges, or employees;

investigating tort presentments; and performing related legal and administrative duties. Further responsibilities include reviewing and responding to complaints, questions, and requests for information from the public, attorneys, court officials, and government agencies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED : Work is performed under the direction and supervision of the General Counsel / Legal Department Director, Deputy General Counsel, and the Managing Attorney.

Duties :

• Researches and prepares legal memoranda on a broad scope of complex and unique issues relating to the Judicial Branch of Government at the direction of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and the Managing Attorney.
• Works with the assigned Assistant Attorney General on litigation in which the Trial Court, one of its departments or divisions, or one or more of its judges or employees is named as a defendant.
• Provides advice on legal issues originating from the Office of Court Management Departments including Human Resources, Fiscal, Security, Facilities, the Judicial Institute, the Judicial Information Services Department, and the Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance.
• Drafts or reviews and approves contracts and interagency service agreements entered into by the Trial Court’s administrative offices, departments, and divisions.

Negotiates and drafts necessary amendments to contracts and coordinates the contract-funding process with the Fiscal Department.

• Advises Procurement Manager and other Trial Court personnel in developing the specifications, terms, and conditions of Requests for Proposals and, when necessary, reviews RFPs developed by Trial Court departments for compliance with Trial Court contracting procedures and state bidding laws.
• Prepares and represents the Trial Court in Worker’s Compensation actions before the Department of Industrial Accidents.
• Assists in maintaining the Complaint Manual, which includes drafting charging language and formulating offense codes. Updates changes to charging language based on changes in statutes, case law, and regulations.
• Provides technical assistance and legal advice to Deputy Court Administrators and other Trial Court personnel concerning compliance with state bidding laws and the contracting process.
• Acts as professional staff to Trial Court committees. Prepares material for meetings, prepares reports, and works directly with committee members.
• Drafts correspondence in response to complaints, subpoenas, questions, and requests for information from the public, attorneys, judges, court officials, and governmental agencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements :

• Graduation from an accredited law school;
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar and six (6) years of relevant legal experience including at least two (2) years of litigation experience;
• Advanced skills and abilities in performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda and briefs;
• Advanced skills and abilities in the application of logical reasoning and rules of statutory construction to detailed statutory analysis;
• Knowledge of and experience in contract drafting and negotiation and amendment;
• Knowledge of civil procedure and experience drafting discovery responses and dispositive motions;
• Knowledge of criminal law and practice;
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system, Massachusetts General Laws and the operation of state government;
• Knowledge of, and ability to use, personal computers and related software, including Microsoft Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally and cooperatively with judges, court officials, attorneys, and the public;
• Ability to analyze administrative problems and develop feasible solutions;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form;
• Ability to handle highly confidential material with discretion;
• Ability to work independently and to establish well-reasoned work priorities; and
• Ability to travel to court locations throughout the Commonwealth as needed.

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