Chief - Appellate Unit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Northampton, MA

8h • $135,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office (NWDAO) serves Hampshire and Franklin counties and the town of Athol. Its mission includes pursuing truth and justice, protecting the public through fair and effective prosecutions, and supporting prevention and education initiatives while protecting civil rights and promoting social and racial justice.

The Chief of the Appellate Unit supervises and manages the Office’s appellate work and performs legal duties related to prosecuting appellate and post-conviction cases in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, Superior Court, District Court, and Juvenile Court. The role also serves as co-counsel in murder and other priority prosecutions at trial, provides legal guidance to prosecutors and law enforcement, coordinates the Office’s participation in certain parole hearings, and performs additional duties as directed by senior leadership.

Requirements

• Eight years of appellate experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role.
• Strong analytical, organizational, time-management, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• In-depth knowledge of state and federal case law, Massachusetts Rules of Appellate and Criminal Procedure, and Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others.
• High integrity, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage the appellate unit, including reviewing and assigning incoming appellate briefs and new-trial motions, editing outgoing briefs and post-conviction filings, maintaining the appellate schedule and coverage, and assigning co-counsel in priority trials.
• Handle appellate matters by reviewing records, transcripts, and exhibits; seeking supplementation of the record when needed; researching applicable law; filing and opposing interlocutory appeals and petitions for extraordinary relief; preparing principal, responsive, and reply briefs; seeking direct or further appellate review; conferring with Victim Witness Advocates; preparing for and presenting oral argument; and handling related motions.
• Handle post-conviction motions, including drafting responses to motions for a new trial, motions to revise or revoke sentences, and motions under Mass. R. Crim. P. 25(b)(2); appear and present argument at hearings; and confer with Victim Witness Advocates on cases involving victims.
• Serve as co-counsel in murder and other priority prosecutions, including preparing oppositions to motions to suppress or dismiss, drafting and arguing motions in limine, researching evidentiary issues, assisting with jury selection and witness preparation, arguing legal issues, ensuring the trial record is perfected, and researching and drafting jury instructions.
• Maintain communication with appellate chiefs throughout the Commonwealth and liaise with clerks of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, and the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
• Complete or participate in internal and external legal training and remain current on federal and state constitutional and criminal law.
• Coordinate the Office’s participation in Massachusetts Parole Board hearings in life-sentence cases.
• Respond to legal inquiries from trial prosecutors and other law-enforcement members.
• Serve on the Office’s Discovery Committee, Ethics Committee, and other committees as directed by the District Attorney.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the District Attorney, First Assistant District Attorney, or Deputy District Attorney.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave time.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission.
• Optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plan.
• Option to elect life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Deferred compensation savings program.
• Tuition remission.
• Participation in the Commonwealth’s State Retirement Plan, which may become a defined benefit plan for employees who vest and subsequently retire from state service.
• For new full-time employees, accrual of two weeks of paid vacation per year, up to five personal days per year depending on employment start quarter, twelve recognized state and federal paid holidays, and up to 9.375 hours of paid sick leave per month.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed