Senior Counsel and Associate General Counsel

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

2d

About The Position

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is a state agency within the Executive Office of Economic Development responsible for protecting consumers through advocacy and education. The Senior Counsel serves as the Agency’s subject matter expert on hearings for disciplinary cases for the Home Improvement Contractor Program (‘HIC’), conducting adjudicatory hearings, drafting written decisions, managing assigned caseloads, and assembling administrative records. The role involves supervising Legal Counsel and Review Examiners, creating best practices, supporting training, and acting as a point of contact for management. Specific assignments may vary, and the Senior Counsel may perform other legal and administrative tasks, such as serving as a liaison to the Attorney General’s Office on M.G.L. c. 30A HIC appeals, providing legal support to regulatory programs (HIC, Lemon Law, Data Breach, and Do Not Call), and supervising legal interns.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association
• At least six years of full-time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency.
• Three years in a supervisory capacity may be required.
• Experience in litigation and/or administrative hearing processes.
• Competency in using computer word processing systems and managing computer databases.
• Experience in legal research, legal writing, and participation in civil procedures and processes.
• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of law.
• Knowledge of procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
• Knowledge of the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the law, rules and regulations governing agency operations.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to clearly and concisely express thoughts and develop ideas in a logical manner.
• Ability to use a computer to conduct research, manage databases, and produce written documents.
• Ability to lead or work with cross-functional project teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and project teams.
• Ability to exercise discretion in safeguarding information through compliance with rules of disclosure.
• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates, and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining the need for and recommending disciplinary action.

Nice To Haves

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience with construction law and the licensure of various trades and associated professions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Presiding Officer for administrative hearings pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, G.L. c. 142A, and 801 CMR, in cases arising out of the HIC program.
• Serve as senior legal advisor and the Agency’s subject matter expert on issues related to Home Improvement Contractor Program; Lemon Law Arbitration; Data Breach, and Do Not call including, but not limited other codes, policies, regulations and statutes.
• Provide supervision to Legal Counsel, Review Examiner(s) assigned to the Agency’s Home Improvement Complaints unit complaint hearings and legal assignments.
• In coordination with the General Counsel, oversee the Agency’s legal intern. Recruit, hire, train, and manage the Agency’s legal internship program. Coordinate assignments for interns. Provide regular supervision through meetings and review of work product.
• In coordination with the General Counsel, receive, process, review, and coordinate responses to M.G.L. c. 30A appeals and other, outside litigation referred from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Serve as liaison to assigned Assistant Attorney General and other AGO staff. Assemble and transmit the administrative record and associated information. Maintain and update a litigation tracker of all outside appeals and related litigation.
• Attend meetings related to SCA regulatory legal obligations and provide legal support and advice to that agency on matters that come before it.
• Advise Agency on the process governing the promulgation of regulations pursuant to G.L. c 30A, associated regulations, and other requirements.
• Review, analyze and summarize legislation relevant to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Draft proposed legislation; prepare memoranda for Agency review and or legislative committees, supporting or opposing legislation.
• Advise Agency on disciplinary matters before the body, as well as the conduct of 30A adjudicatory hearings, including but not limited to: the review of pending cases regarding the sufficiency of evidence; provide advice regarding the settlement of cases; review and comment on draft decisions by hearing officers; and providing advice regarding the final disposition of the case post-hearing, including review of final decisions and orders.
• Consult with other legal counsel and Agency officials regarding the appeal of decisions by individuals; act as the Agency contact with the Office of the Attorney General on such matters and advise the assigned assistant attorneys general regarding Agency decisions that have been appealed, as well as litigation challenging Agency policies or regulations; reviewing pleadings to be filed on behalf of Agency programs; and updating the status of cases pending appeal in the monthly Outside Litigation Report.
• Identify opportunities for improving Agency processes, work product, and outreach. Work cooperatively with other Agency staff on project teams to improve existing processes and implement new ones.
• Act as a liaison with representatives of other governmental agencies at the local, state and federal levels, and the private sector, to identify and resolve problems of common concern.
• Provide other legal advice and administrative assistance, as directed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior