Counsel II - Boston Legal

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS\:  Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and (A) 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.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

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Duties:

The Massachusetts Department of Correction has an opening for a staff attorney (Counsel II) to handle litigation involving labor and employment issues for the Department of Correction (DOC). Specifically, this attorney will specialize in providing in-house counsel on labor and employment matters and defending the DOC in forums where employment and disciplinary matters are litigated, including the Labor Relations Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state and federal courts. In addition to representing the DOC at trials and hearings, this attorney will be responsible for reviewing case files; interviewing witnesses; defending clients at depositions; conducting and responding to discovery and conducting legal research; and preparing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs, to include the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC. This attorney will also be responsible for handling public record requests in the labor and employment area and will perform other duties as assigned. These duties include travel to state correctional facilities and offices, state and federal courts, and other locations throughout the Commonwealth.

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

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be an experienced labor and employment attorney, with an excellent academic background and a minimum of two years litigation experience in labor and employment law. Candidates should have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Experience in criminal justice issues strongly preferred.

Comments:

This is a Civil Service position. Please note that salaries for union positions are determined according to the provisions of the respective collective bargaining agreement.   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.  The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.   The DOC urges bi-lingual applicants to apply.