Deputy Legal Counsel

Official Title: Deputy Legal Counsel 

Pay Grade: Senior Management 1

Salary Range: SM1 Entry Level Pay $111,214.74 to Pay Range Maximum $164,015.80

Starting Pay: $111,214.74

Salary Notes: This position is designated as Management. Starting Salary will be based on a review of qualifications and experience.

Departmental Mission Statement: As a gateway to justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District Court is dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, impartial, and timely manner in accordance with the rule of law. In fulfilling this role, the District Court shall provide the communities it serves with an environment that is safe, accessible, and respectful to all. The District Court shall conduct its business with integrity, competence, and a commitment to excellence in order to promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system.

Notes: This position is designated as management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Please upload a current resume during the application process. This posting may be used to fill future Deputy Legal Counsel vacancies in the future. 

This position will support District Court Region 1 which consists of the locations listed below and will involve traveling to them as needed. 

• Barnstable District Court

• Edgartown District Court

• Fall River District Court

• Falmouth District Court

• Nantucket District Court

• New Bedford District Court

• Orleans District Court

• Plymouth District Court

• Wareham District Court

Position Summary: The Administrative Office of the District Court (AODC) provides administrative and legal support to Justices, Clerk-Magistrates, and employees of the District Court, under the direction of the Chief Justice of the District Court. The Deputy Legal Counsel will provide advice on legal matters, researches legal questions, writes memoranda, develops court procedures and rules, analyzes legal and administrative issues, drafts regulations and proposed legislation, prepares and presents trainings, and manages litigation involving the District Court Department.  

Supervision Received: The Deputy Legal Counsel reports jointly to the Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Court Administrator.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: The Deputy Legal Counsel provides legal support to the Justices, Clerk-Magistrates, and employees of the District Court Department, as well as to the Administrative Office of the District Court on cases and all law-related matters in the District Court and conducts special research projects as necessary.
• Legal expertise and clear and concise communication skills are essential in fulfilling this role;
• Interprets and applies court rules, standing orders, statutes, directives, and policies related to matters within the District Court;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal bulletins, memoranda, draft rules, and uniform practices; Responds to inquiries and requests from Justices, Clerk-Magistrates, court employees, attorneys, and the public concerning legal aspects of the District Court;
• Develops and assists in the development of training materials and presents training for Justices, Clerk-Magistrates, and other employees of the District Court;
• Makes recommendations as to policy and procedure on a variety of matters; and
• Represents the District Court and acts as professional staff to Trial Court committees, task forces and working groups as assigned by the Chief Justice, Legal Counsel or Deputy Court Administrator of the District Court.
• The Deputy Legal Counsel performs other related duties as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to prove efficiency in the following areas:  
Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.
Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and District Court missions. Applied Knowledge Demonstrated experience using knowledge of court rules and law as they pertain to the District Court Department particularly as to matters relating to the civil jurisdiction of the Court.
Problem Solving Accurately identifies legal and operational issues regarding administration in the District Court Department and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.  
Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.          

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of the Deputy Legal Counsel:
• Law Degree from an accredited Law School.
• Admission to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
• Five (5) years or more of legal experience with particular emphasis on matters within the jurisdiction of the District Court Department;
• Thorough knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system and applicable statutes, case law, court rules and procedures relating to the District Court;
• Considerable skills and abilities in the application of logical reasoning to perform detailed statutory analysis;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, judges, employees and government agencies employees;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to properly rank competing work priorities and to work efficiently to fulfill those priorities in a timely manner; and
• Demonstrated ability to independently complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments.