Senior Legal Counsel - Legal Department

Title:

Senior Legal Counsel-Legal Department

Pay Grade:
Senior Management 1

Starting Pay: $-/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); and reviews investigations of discrimination complaints. 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.

Organizational Profile:

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

This posting will remain open until filled; however, the Legal Department will consider candidates on an ongoing basis. Therefore, candidates who applied during the initial 14-day posting period may benefit from early consideration.

Starting pay will be based on a review of qualifications and experience.

The primary location is:

1 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 Counsel 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, briefs 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 Counsel.

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 Counsel.

• 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 Court Education Department, the Judicial Information Services Department, and the Office of…