Counsel II - Boston Legal

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Correction has immediate openings for staff attorneys (Counsel II) in its Boston Legal Office. The attorney in this position will be responsible for defending correctional employees in civil rights litigation in the state and federal courts involving constitutional issues, conditions of confinement, medical care, class actions and systems litigation, and will provide in-house counsel on a variety of matters as required. Litigation duties include travel to state correctional facilities and state and federal courts located throughout the Commonwealth. The attorney will be responsible for conducting jury and non-jury trials, as well as oral arguments before the Commonwealth's state trial courts, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, Federal District Courts, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals, with the majority of cases filed in Boston or in contiguous counties. The attorney is also responsible for interviewing witnesses at 13 state correctional institutions and obtaining relevant institutional records; consulting with other DOC staff and parties involved; reviewing case files; defending clients at depositions; responding to discovery and conducting legal research; and preparing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs. The attorney is also responsible for providing legal advice as in-house counsel to all DOC employees, including the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC. Perform other duties as assigned. 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%25 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
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
A valid driver’s license is needed to travel to/from the courts, not all of which are located near public transportation

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

Defending correctional employees in civil rights litigation in the state and federal courts involving constitutional issues, conditions of confinement, medical care, class actions and systems litigation
Provide in-house counsel on a variety of matters as required
Conducting jury and non-jury trials, as well as oral arguments before the Commonwealth's state trial courts, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, Federal District Courts, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals
Interviewing witnesses at 13 state correctional institutions and obtaining relevant institutional records
Consulting with other DOC staff and parties involved
Reviewing case files
Defending clients at depositions
Responding to discovery and conducting legal research
Preparing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs
Providing legal advice as in-house counsel to all DOC employees, including the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

75%25 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