Research Attorney - Superior Court - Western Massachusetts
Job Details
Full Job Description
Job no: 497879
Work type:
Full-time
Location: Springfield
Categories:
Legal/Attorney
Title: Research Attorney I – Superior Court
Pay Grade: Grade 18
Starting Pay: $86,605.33
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:
NOTES:
This posting is to fill a Superior Court Research Attorney I
positions within the Administrative Office of the Superior Court to
serve all the Justices of the Superior Court. The Research Attorney
position is expected to be based primarily in Western Massachusetts.
The Superior Court seeks to fill this position as soon as
possible. 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:
- 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 . Formal cover letters are required during the application process in order to submit a completed application. The cover letter may be uploaded as a Word file or PDF. The cover letter should be addressed 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. 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.
- Clerkship Experience . 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 the Trial Court remote work pilot program, the Superior Court has implemented a hybrid office/remote work policy applying to Research Attorneys.
Inquiries may be emailed to Romeo Camba, Manager of Legal
Research Services, at (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.
These positions will remain open until filled, but interested candidates are strongly encouraged by apply by Thursday, February 29, 2024.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Research
Attorney position is a professional position within the Superior
Court. This position involves analyzing and researching legal issues
and questions for the Justices of the Superior Court and the
Administrative Office, and preparing legal memoranda, drafting
judicial decisions and other documents. An employee is hired at the
Research Attorney I level and is eligible for reclassification to the
Research Attorney II level upon meeting the requirements of that
level. The position title reverts to the entry level Research Attorney
I position title when there is a vacancy.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS :
•
Research Attorney I : This is the entry level
position title within this series. An employee is expected to perform
the full range of legal duties of this position and to train for the
next higher level.
• Research Attorney II: This
is the second level position title within this series. An employee is
expected to perform more complex and varied legal duties which require
more knowledge of case law and court policies and procedures.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the general direction of the Departmental Chief Justice, the Associate Justices, and the Manager of Legal Research Services and is evaluated for professional competence and conformity to policy.
DUTIES:
Research Attorney I Duties :
• Researches
legal issues and questions and assists in the writing of draft
decisions and legal memoranda on civil, criminal, and administrative
matters;
• Delivers all legal documents and related work product
in a timely and high quality fashion, meeting deadlines and
demonstrating continuous improvement;
• May assist in the
training, administration, and oversight of law clerks, law fellows,
and interns;
• Confers with and advises judges and court officials
on legal issues;.
• Performs specialized legal and administrative
functions;
• Performs special projects as assigned; and
•
Performs related duties as required.
Research
Attorney II Duties :
• Regularly researches complex or
novel issues or arguments of law and prepares legal memoranda;
•
Produces substantially more complex high quality work products
specifically assigned to experienced research attorneys;
•
Regularly assists in the training, administration, and oversight of
law clerks, law fellows, and interns;
• Assists Superior Court
Committee members in preparing materials for meetings, judicial
conferences, and reports;
• Develops specialization skills in
specific legal and administrative functions;
• Leads special
projects as assigned; and
• Performs all of the duties of the
lower level title as required.
JOB COMPETENCIES:
All applicants must
be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of the following areas:
• Ethics
and Values : Communicates and demonstrates
the ethics and values of the Superior Court Department and the Trial
Court.
• Mission :
Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Superior
Court missions.
• Applied Knowledge
: Understanding of legal research, preparing legal
memoranda and other documents, contributing to the development and
implementation of court rules and policies.
• Problem
Solving : Accurately identifies and addresses
legal issues within the department and initiates corrective action.
• Continuous Learning :
Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improve himself or herself
through professional development.
• Commitment to
Diversity : Promotes an environment of
diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication
with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural
backgrounds.
• Customer Service :
Fosters a departmental environment emphasizing conduct that is
courteous and professional toward both Trial Court employees and the
public.
• Collaboration :
Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing
to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Research
Attorney I Requirements :
• Graduation from an accredited
law school and membership (or currently applying for membership) in
the Massachusetts Bar;
• Two years of post-law school,
professional legal work experience;
• Excellent writing,
communication, and legal research skills;
• Ability to produce
high quality work product while meeting deadlines;
• Abilities
that demonstrate a history of continuous improvement; and
•
Knowledge of and ability to use computer software such as MS Office,
including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and
PowerPoint.
Other knowledge, skills, and abilities:
•
Ability to assist in the training, administration, and oversight of
law clerks, law fellows, and interns;
• Knowledge of the
Massachusetts judicial system and state law;
• Knowledge of
applicable court jurisdiction and court procedures;
• Knowledge of
trial, hearing and administrative procedures;
• Ability to analyze
legal issues and identify relevant case opinions and court policies;
• Ability to prepare legal memoranda and other documents;
•
Ability to work independently and to establish work priorities;
•
Ability to deal effectively with attorneys, court officials, justices
and the general public;
• Ability to handle sensitive matters on a
confidential basis;
• Ability to maintain complex and accurate
court records; and
• Ability to travel to Superior Court
Courthouses throughout the Commonwealth.
Preferred
Qualifications: Judicial clerkship experience and/or
extensive experience involving a high volume of legal research and
writing in a litigation context, particularly before the Superior
Court, is preferred. Judicial clerkship experience is defined as paid
full-time post-graduate employment as a law clerk for a court or
judge.
Research Attorney II Requirements :
• A minimum of four years of experience as a Research Attorney
I;
• Considerable knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system
and court policies and practices;
• Demonstrated ability to
analyze and research complex legal issues;
• Demonstrated ability
to produce substantially more complex high quality work products
specifically assigned to experienced research attorneys;
•
Ability to demonstrate specialization in specific legal and
administrative functions;
• Exhibits initiative and the effective
leadership on special projects;
• Demonstrated ability to assist
in the training, administration, and oversight of law clerks, law
fellows, and interns;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze
administrative concerns and to develop feasible solutions;
•
Demonstrated ability to perform responsibilities with minimal
supervision;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain
professional working relationships with judges and court
officials;
• Ability to travel to Superior Court Courthouses
throughout the Commonwealth;
• Performs related work as required.
Advertised: Eastern Daylight
Time
Applications close: Eastern Standard
Time