Counsel II - Legal - Bridgewater State Hospital

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Bridgewater, MA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) has an opening for a staff attorney (Counsel II) in its Bridgewater State Hospital Legal Office. The attorney will be responsible for conducting weekly civil commitment hearings pursuant to G.L. c. 123 and District Court Rogers petitions filed by the Bridgewater State Hospital, pursuing guardianship petitions in various probate courts, and handling civil commitment petitions in the Superior Court. The attorney is also responsible for conducting jury and non-jury trials and oral arguments before the state and federal trial and appellate courts, defending correctional officials in cases involving constitutional issues, conditions of confinement, medical care, class actions and systems litigation. The attorney is responsible for conducting discoveries, interviewing witnesses, obtaining relevant institutional records; reviewing case files; consulting with other DOC staff and parties involved; conducting and defending depositions; conducting legal research; and preparing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs. The attorney will also provide in-house counsel advice to DOC employees, including the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC. Perform other duties as assigned. This Counsel II position is a full-time (9-5) position located within a state correctional institution in Bridgewater, MA. The Department of Correction’s compensation package features an outstanding set of state employee benefits for eligible employees which you may consider towards your overall compensation, including, but not limited to: 75% state-paid medical insurance premium Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Assistance programs Low-cost basic and optional life insurance - Retirement Savings\: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time Long-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options Employee Assistance Programs - Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program A valid driver’s license is needed to travel to/from the courts, not all of which are located near public transportation.

Requirements

Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree
Admission to the Massachusetts Bar
At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment
Applicants must have no felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction shall not hire anyone who may have direct contact with offenders, who has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph.

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate for the position will be an experienced litigation attorney.
Candidates should have excellent academic backgrounds, and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Experience in criminal justice issues is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducting weekly civil commitment hearings pursuant to G.L. c. 123 and District Court Rogers petitions filed by the Bridgewater State Hospital
Pursuing guardianship petitions in various probate courts
Handling civil commitment petitions in the Superior Court
Conducting jury and non-jury trials and oral arguments before the state and federal trial and appellate courts
Defending correctional officials in cases involving constitutional issues, conditions of confinement, medical care, class actions and systems litigation
Conducting discoveries, interviewing witnesses, obtaining relevant institutional records; reviewing case files; consulting with other DOC staff and parties involved; conducting and defending depositions; conducting legal research; and preparing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs
Providing in-house counsel advice to DOC employees, including the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

75% state-paid medical insurance premium
Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Assistance programs
Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
Retirement Savings\: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
Long-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
Employee Assistance Programs
Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program