Labor and Employment Attorney

Title: Labor and Employment Attorney

Pay Grade: Management

Starting Pay:$88,695.37- $130,866.23/Yr.

Departmental Mission Statement: The Trial Court Legal Department reports to the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator. The Legal Department handles a wide range of legal matters that arise within the Executive Office of the Trial Court and the Office of Court Management (OCM). The Legal Department represents the Trial Court in labor and employment matters, including before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the Department of Labor Relations, and at arbitration. The Legal Department's attorneys also work directly with the Office of the Attorney General in its legal representation of the Trial Court, its departments, officers, judges and employees in litigation brought in state and federal courts. The Legal Department advises the Chief Justice of the Trial Court, the Court Administrator, the Directors of the OCM Departments, the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, the Office of Jury Commissioner, and the Deputy Court Administrators and attorneys for the seven Departmental Administrative Offices of the Trial Court on legal issues and problems.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-the-trial-court-legal-department

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

While hybrid work is available, our office is in Boston and a minimum of three days in the office per week will be required.

Please upload a current resume during the application process.

Starting salary is based on applicant experience.

Position Summary:Working within the Legal Department of the Executive Office of the Trial Court, the Labor and Employment Attorney will represent the interests of the Trial Court primarily in labor and employment matters. The Labor and Employment Attorney may also work on a variety of legal issues and questions that arise from the administration of the Trial Court, developing and implementing court policies subject to the approval of the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator.

This Labor and Employment Attorney position will be responsible for preparing and conducting litigation of labor and employment issues before the Department of Labor Relations the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, and at arbitration. The Labor and Employment Attorney will also perform legal research; draft legal memoranda, pleadings and other legal documents; actively support and work with the Attorney General's Office in defending litigation brought against the Trial Court or its officials or employees. Further responsibilities include reviewing and responding to complaints, questions, and requests for information from the public, attorneys, judges, court officials and government agencies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is performed under the direction and supervision f the General Counsel/Legal Department Director, Deputy General Counsel, and Labor Counsel.

Duties:

Prepares briefs and develops facts necessary for litigation, arbitrations and other related matters primarily in the areas of labor and employment law.

Responds to MCAD/EEOC complaints. This includes investigations of the underlying allegations, interviewing witnesses, and preparing formal responses on behalf of the charged Respondent (s).

Represents the Trial Court in arbitration. This includes a full review of the alleged grievances; analyzing legal claims; identifying and interviewing witnesses; preparing witness(es) for providing testimony; and writing post-hearing briefs.

Researches and prepares legal memoranda on a broad scope of issues at the direction of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Labor Counsel;

Provides advice on labor issues (such as contract interpretation and leaves of absence), negotiations, labor contracts and personnel and employment law (including workplace accommodations) to the Court Administrator, Department Heads, General Counsel, and the Chief Human Resources Officer;

Works with the assigned Assistant Attorney General on litigation in which the Trial Court, one of its departments or divisions, or one or more of its judges or employees is named as a defendant;

Drafts correspondence in response to complaints, questions, and requests for information from the public, attorneys, judges, court officials and governmental agencies; and

Performs related duties 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 Legal Department and the Trial Court;
• Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court's and the Legal Department's 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:

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited law school;

Membership in the Massachusetts Bar and three (3) or more years of legal experience in labor and employment law, including litigation of such cases;

Knowledge, skills and abilities in labor and employment law;

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with persons at all levels, including judges, Clerks and Directors, and to maintain effective working relationships;

Knowledge of civil procedure and practice; experience drafting dispositive motions is preferred;

Advanced skills and abilities in performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda and briefs;

Advanced skills and abilities in the application of logical reasoning for detailed statutory and case law analysis;

Knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system, Massachusetts General Laws and the operation of state government;

Knowledge of, and ability to use, personal computers and related software, including Microsoft Windows, Excel, PowerPoint and Smartsheet;

Ability to analyze administrative problems and to develop feasible solutions

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing;

Ability to handle highly confidential material with discretion;

Ability to work independently and to establish well-reasoned work priorities; and

Ability to travel to court locations throughout the Commonwealth as needed

Closing Date/Time: 2023-12-07