Deputy Legal Counsel - Probate & Family Court

Title: Deputy Legal Counsel - Probate & Family Court

Pay Grade: Senior Management 1

Starting Pay: $109,034.12-$160,799.86

Notes:

This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Applicants selected for interviews may be asked to submit a writing sample based on a writing prompt provided by the Probate and Family Court.

Departmental Mission Statement: To deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable and efficient forum to resolve family and probate legal matters and to assist and protect all individuals, families and children in an impartial and respectful manner.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: http://www.mass.gov/orgs/probate and family court

Position Summary: Working within the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court Department, the Deputy Legal Counsel provides advice on legal matters, researches legal questions, writes memoranda, develops court procedures and rules, and analyzes legal and administrative issues, providing quality legal research services to the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from the Departmental Chief Justice, the Deputy Court Administrator and Chief Legal Counsel. Work is evaluated for professional soundness, conformity to policy, and achievement of objectives. Performs duties that require considerable judgment and discretion.

Duties: The following are the primary duties assigned to the Deputy Legal Counsel:

Performs writing and legal research for the Administrative Office on matters affecting the administration of the Probate and Family Court Department;

Prepares legal memoranda and other documents;

Assists in the development and implementation of court rules and policies;

Serves as staff to various committees;

Leads and/or participates on special projects and court initiatives;

Represents the Probate and Family Court Department at various meetings, groups and/or committees; works directly with committee members, prepares materials and makes recommendations;

Contributes to the work of various departmental court initiatives;

Works collaboratively with the Departmental Chief Justice as well as other officials and staff of the divisions of the Probate and Family Court Department, Trial Court Departments, and outside agencies and organizations;

May manage interns, law clerks,  research attorneys employed by the Probate and Family Court Department including participating in the recruitment, work schedules, statewide deployment, performance evaluations and personnel administration, orienting and training as needed; and

Performs 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 ethical standards and values of the Probate and Family Court Department and the Trial Court.

Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the mission of the Probate and Family Court Department and the Trial Court.

Applied Knowledge Skillfully applies knowledge and skills to successfully perform complex legal analysis, research, preparing legal memoranda and other documents.

Problem Solving Accurately identifies and addresses legal issues arising within the Probate and Family Court Department initiating corrective action.

Leadership Demonstrates an ability to supervise, manage, and drive employee performance and professional development.

Commitment to Diversity Promotes diversity through understanding and respect, using and effective communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Customer Service Consistently demonstrates courtesy and professionalism in interacting with other Probate and Family Court Department and the Trial Court employees and the public.

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared Probate and Family Court Department goals.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Deputy Legal Counsel:

J.D. degree and an active license in good standing from the Board of Bar Overseers to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

Five (5) years of work experience as a practicing attorney – one (1) or more of which (post law school) should involve researching and drafting written materials under limited time frames which analyze legal issues and apply legal principles to different factual situations within a court legal research and writing context; or five (5) years of legal work experience, three (3) of which must include legal work in the Probate and Family Court;

Considerable knowledge of the Massachusetts Trial Court, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department, applicable statutes, case law, court rules and procedures relating to the Probate and Family Court, the Massachusetts General Laws and the operations of state government;

Excellent writing, communication and legal research skills required along with an attention to detail and ability to work cooperatively with the Departmental Chief Justice, as well as other officials and staff of the divisions of the Probate and Family Court Department and with other Trial Court Departments;

Excellent research skills including a thorough knowledge of sophisticated legal research techniques and methods, including competence in computer-assisted legal research, such as the skilled use of Westlaw and other online legal research services;

Considerable knowledge of policies and procedures which affect the Probate and Family Court;

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with judges, attorneys, court staff, other government agencies and the general public, and to maintain effective working relationships with them;

Ability to communicate and advocate clearly and effectively in oral and written form;

Strong ability to prepare and submit cogent, persuasive written legal analysis in a thorough and timely manner;

Ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis;

Ability to analyze administrative problems and to develop feasible solutions;

Demonstrated ability to independently complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments, an ability to work as part of a team, and to effectively prioritize work and demands.