Research Attorney l - Superior Court Administrative Office

Official Title: Research Attorney I – Superior Court Administrative Office

Pay Grade: 25S

Salary Range: 25S Entry Level Pay $107,658.72 to Pay Range Maximum $158,672.02

Starting Pay: $107,658.72

Salary Notes: This position is designated as a Union position. All new hires must start at the entry level rate for this role per the collective bargaining agreement/MOA with OPEIU, Local 6. Pay may advance within the salary band according to the CBA/MOU.

Departmental Mission Statement: The Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.

Organizational Profile:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/superior-court

Notes:

This posting is to fill four Superior Court Research Attorney I positions within the Administrative Office of the Superior Court. We are looking for individuals to provide research and writing assistance to all the Justices of the Superior Court but primarily those justices sitting in Suffolk County (Boston), Bristol County (Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton), Western Massachusetts, and possibly another location.  

Please read all instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with the instructions may be screened out. In particular, please note the following:

• Employment Application. Applicants must complete the online Employment Application. Answer each question fully and accurately. Please do not use "see resume" or similar response.
• Resumes. Applicants must upload a Word file or PDF of their resume. The uploaded resume should *not* include references.
• Cover Letters. Applicants must upload a cover letter as a Word file or PDF. The cover letter should indicate those courthouse locations that could serve as the applicant’s designated “home base” should they be hired. Address the cover letter to: The Justices of the Superior Court, Suffolk Superior Courthouse, 3 Pemberton Square, 13th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.
• References/Letters of Recommendation. Please do not provide references or letters of recommendation at this time through the applicant tracking system or by contacting any employees of the Superior Court. Reference information may be requested, and letters of recommendation (optional) accepted, later in the hiring process.
• Additional Materials. Selected applicants may be asked to provide a writing sample and official law school transcript soon after the application review process begins. If and when requested, the writing sample will be limited to 12-pages in length and must not have been edited by anyone other than the applicant. Applicants should begin gathering these materials and be prepared to submit them when requested (but not before).
• Legal Writing Assessment. Applicants who reach the interview stage may be asked to complete a legal research and writing assessment exercise based on a hypothetical that we provide.
• Clerkship Experience. If referencing clerkship experience in the application, resume, or cover letter, please note that judicial clerkship experience (as opposed to judicial internships) is defined as paid full-time post-graduate employment as a law clerk for a court or judge.

The Superior Court recognizes the importance of a work-life balance. Under Trial Court policy, a new Research Attorney may request a hybrid office/remote work schedule, subject to certain conditions and requirements, after an initial training and trial period.

Inquiries may be emailed to Rafael Muñoz, Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services, at rafael.munoz@jud.state.ma.us (no phone inquiries please). 

This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

The position will remain open until filled, but interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by August 14, 2026, after which review of applications will begin.

Position Summary: Conducts legal research and drafts memoranda, decisions, and orders for assigned judge(s), and consults with judge(s) on legal issues. May oversee and train law clerks and judicial interns. Receives other legal assignments from Departmental Administrative Office.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of an assigned judge(s) and the Departmental Administrative Office.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Researches and analyzes case law, statutes, rules, regulations, and other relevant law.
• Drafts decisions and research memoranda.
• Performs legal research for judges regarding issues that arise during trials and other court proceedings.
• Assists judges, fellow research attorneys, and law clerks with proofreading, editing, and legal interpretation of documents.
• Advises judges on legal issues.
• Oversees the work of and trains law clerks and judicial interns.
• Assists in preparing materials for committees, meetings, and judicial conferences.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Competencies: 

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.

Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.

Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Applied Knowledge: Proficiency in legal research, preparing legal memoranda, decisions, and other documents.

Problem Solving: Accurately identifies and addresses legal issues within assigned matters.

Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

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.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:
• Law Degree from an accredited college or university
• One (1) year of related work experience
• Admission to and good standing with Massachusetts Bar

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
• Modern office equipment and technology including computers and applicable software
• Legal research services and databases
• Case law, statutory law, rules, and regulations
• Law and procedure applicable to assigned Court Department
• Legal terminology

Skill in:
• Organization and time management
• Attention to detail
• Proofreading
• Critical thinking
• Research
• Analysis
• Legal Writing

Ability to:
• Establish effective working relationships with others
• Prepare clear and accurate work product
• Edit the work product of other employees
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Work independently and follow oral and written instructions
• Perform legal research and analysis
• Analyze problems and develop feasible solutions

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not require supervision of others.

Working Conditions: Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments.

Physical Demands: This position requires sedentary work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.