First Deputy Legal Counsel - Administrative Office of the District Court

Title: First Deputy Legal Counsel - Administrative Office of the District Court

Pay Grade: Senior Management 2

Starting Pay: $119,421.38

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/districtcourt/index.html

Notes: This position is designated as management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.  The First Deputy Legal Counsel will be expected to travel to courts within their assigned region. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Position Summary: The First Deputy Legal Counsel provides specialized administrative oversight and legal support to the Administrative Office of the District Court (AODC) and the divisions of the District Court Department. The First Deputy Legal Counsel assists in the daily management of the AODC’s Legal Department, advises the Chief Justice, Deputy Court Administrators, and Chief Legal Counsel on legal matters, researches legal questions, writes memoranda, develops procedures and rules, analyzes legal and administrative issues, drafts regulations and proposed legislation, and develops and implements uniform case processing practices and programs related to effective case management and Trial Court best practices.

Supervision Received: 

The First Deputy Legal Counsel receives general supervision from the Chief Legal Counsel/Assistant Deputy Court Administrator of the District Court Department. 

Duties: The position of First Deputy Legal Counsel provides specialized administrative oversight and legal support to the Administrative Office of the District Court (AODC) and the divisions of the District Court Department. The role requires considerable independent judgment in making important decisions, sometimes with limited procedural and policy guidelines.

Provides legal counsel to the Chief Justice and the Deputy Court Administrators;

Interprets and applies court rules, standing orders, statutes, directives and policies related to matters within the District Court;

Makes recommendations as to policy and procedure on all District Court related matters, including technical issues related to the electronic case management system;

Works with District Court personnel in the development of modifications to the electronic case management system that will support the effective integration of rules, uniform practices and procedures, statutes and case law;

Prepares abstracts, memoranda, and administrative reports; draft rules, uniform practices, and proposed legislation; develops guidelines and procedures for the District Court Department;

Provides legal advice to judges and other court personnel on all law-related matters in the District Court and conducts special research projects as necessary;

Responds to inquiries and requests from judges, the public, attorneys, court employees, and others concerning legal aspects of the District Court;

Responds to requests for information from the media, legislature, judges, clerk/magistrates, probation officers, and other agency personnel;

Serves as the liaison between the District Court Department and state agencies and community resources dealing with matters within the jurisdiction of the District Court; and

Performs other related duties as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to prove efficiency in the following:
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.
Problem Solving Accurately identifies legal and operational issues regarding administration in the District Court Department and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions. Accurately assesses a variety of problems in the District Court and develops feasible 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 -First Deputy Legal Counsel:

Law Degree from an accredited Law School.

Admission to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

Seven years or more of legal experience with 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;

Demonstrated experience managing legal teams, with a preference for either court or government legal management;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, judges, employees and government agencies employees;

Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Demonstrated ability to independently complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments; and

Demonstrated ability to identify problems and to develop feasible solutions.