Research Attorney - Hampden Probate & Family Court

Research Attorney – Hampden Probate & Family Court

Join to apply for the Research Attorney – Hampden Probate & Family Court role at the Massachusetts Trial Court.

Title: Research Attorney – Hampden Probate & Family Court

Pay Grade: Grade 18

Starting Pay: $90,987.52 – $

Effective January 25, 2026: Title – Research Attorney I;
Starting Pay – $ – $

Departmental Mission Statement: The Probate and Family Court Department’s mission is to deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable and efficient forum to resolve family and probate legal matters and to assist and protect all individuals, families and children in an impartial and respectful manner.

The department has jurisdiction over family‑related matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, termination of parental rights and abuse prevention, as well as will, estate, trust, guardianship, conservatorship and name change matters.

Organization: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-court

NOTE:

• This position works directly with the judges of the Hampden Probate and Family Court in Springfield, MA and is supervised by the First Justice.
• Applicants selected for interviews must submit a writing sample based on a prompt provided by the Court.
• This is a union position covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.
• Effective January 25, 2026, the Trial Court will transition to a new Classification and Compensation Plan. Finalists will receive details at offer time.

All new hires are required to start at the entry‑level rate outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Employees may progress through the salary band based on provisions of the agreement.

The Research Attorney is a professional position that involves:

• Analyzing and researching legal issues and questions for the justices of the Probate and Family Court and the Administrative Office.
• Preparing legal memoranda, drafting judicial decisions and other documents.

An employee is hired at the Research Attorney I level and may be reclassified to Research Attorney II upon meeting the requirements.

• Research legal issues and questions, and assist in preparing well‑written, error‑free legal research memoranda and drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, rationales, judgments and memoranda of decision, particularly in complex cases.
• Assist in the training, administration, and oversight of law clerks and interns.
• Confer with and advise judges and Administrative Office staff on legal issues.
• Assist in preparing materials for committees, meetings, and judicial conferences.
• Accurately and timely perform all required administrative tasks.
• Travel to courthouses as required.
• Perform related duties as required.

• Regularly research complex or novel issues or arguments of law and prepare memoranda.
• Regularly assist in the training, administration, and oversight of law clerks and interns.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Perform all of the duties of the lower level title as required.

• Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Department and the Trial Court.
• Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the mission.
• Applied Knowledge: Understanding of legal research, preparing memoranda and other documents, contributing to the development and implementation of court rules.
• Problem Solving: Accurately identifies and addresses legal issues.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to professional development.
• Commitment to Diversity: Promotes a diverse environment through respectful communication.
• Customer Service: Fosters courteous and professional conduct toward employees and the public.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively, promoting teamwork.

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar.
• At least two years of post‑law school professional legal work experience.
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using online and book resources.
• Ability to assist in training, administration and oversight of law clerks and…