Staff Attorney - Appeals Court

Title: Staff Attorney - Appeals Court

Pay Grade: Grade 20

Current Starting: USD $ (effect. 1/11/26 - $)

Current Maximum: USD $ (effect. 1/11/26 - $)

This position will remain open until filled, but preference will be given to candidates who apply by November 24, 2025.

Notes:
This is a union position and is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with O.P.E.I.U. Local
6. This job posting is for a position located at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston, MA. The Appeals Court recognizes the importance of work-life balance and offers a remote work policy, subject to certain conditions and requirements.

Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, a staff attorney's starting salary will be the starting salary noted above, with some exceptions for staff attorneys who are hired from within the Massachusetts judiciary

After 4 years, a staff attorney is eligible to reclassify to become a senior staff attorney (pay grade 21, which will have a current maximum salary of $ effective 1/11/26).

Appeals Court Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Appeals Court is committed to doing justice under the law by rendering thoughtful, well-reasoned appellate decisions in a timely and efficient manner, treating all those who come before the court fairly and impartially.

http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./appeals court

Position Summary: Staff attorneys work on a variety of legal assignments for the Justices of the Appeals Court. Among other work, staff attorneys edit outgoing decisions, and applicants should expect that most of their time will be spent editing. A staff attorney's role in editing outgoing decisions is to conduct a thorough review of the decision to ensure substantive accuracy and compliance with detailed formatting and style conventions.

In addition, staff attorneys (1) screen incoming briefs for procedural defects and to help determine which cases should be scheduled for oral argument and (2) assist in drafting decisions. Especially for the screening and writing aspects of the job, staff attorneys spend more of their time working on civil versus criminal cases, and significant experience handling complex civil matters would be helpful.

For this position, expertise with or interest in land use, real estate law, or complex business or commercial law would be particularly helpful but not required.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the general direction of the Chief Staff Attorney and/or the Chief Justice or his/her/their designee.

• Edits outgoing opinions and dispositive orders
• Screens incoming briefs and records in civil and/or criminal cases
• Prepares legal memoranda on selected civil and/or criminal cases
• Assists in drafting opinions and dispositive orders
• Performs specific legal and consultative work assigned by the Justices
• Performs other related work as required

Certain cases may require expertise in a variety of specialized areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• land use
• real estate
• business litigation
• insurance
• financial services
• domestic relations
• trusts and estates
• 209A and 258E
• child welfare
• torts
• appellate procedure
• civil procedure
• criminal law

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Appeals Court.

Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Appeals Court Mission.

Applied Knowledge Understanding of legal research, preparing legal memorandum and other documents, contributing to the development and implementation of court rules and policies.

Problem Solving Accurately identifies and addresses legal issues within the department and initiates corrective action.

Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improve through professional development.

Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Customer Service Fosters a departmental environment emphasizing conduct that is courteous and professional toward both Appeals Court employees and the public.

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work…