Research Attorney-Housing Court

Title: Research Attorney- Housing Court

Pay Grade: Grade 18

Starting Pay:$80,071.49/Yr.

The Housing Court's mission is to adjudicate all matters presented by litigants within its jurisdiction regarding housing in a fair, efficient, and timely manner according to the rule of law and the facts presented. In accordance with this mission, the Housing Court, through its operating philosophy and business practices, strives to present a citizen-oriented process to maximize access to justice for all such litigants. All members of the Housing Court are committed to this mission and process to fulfill our role within the judicial branch.

Housing Court Organizational Profile

PLEASE NOTE:

This position currently offers a hybrid remote work schedule which will be determined upon hiring. The schedule is also subject to change.

Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit a writing sample. The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant's ability to analyze legal problems and apply legal principles to a given factual setting. The writing sample should be no more than five pages with double-spaced text, one-inch page margins, and a font no smaller than Times New Roman 12pt. The writing sample must be solely the work of the applicant and may not be edited by another. Briefs or opinions signed by another and law review articles are considered to be edited. All applications must be received by the posting closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please do not contact the Administrative Office of the Housing Court with inquiries regarding the receipt or status of an application. References should not contact the Housing Court directly on behalf of an applicant.

This position requires travelling within the Commonwealth, per the needs of the department, as determined by the Deputy Court Administrator.

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

Position Summary:The Research Attorney is a professional position within the Housing Court. This position involves;
• analyzing and researching legal issues and questions for the justices of the Housing Court and the Administrative Office,
• 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 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 duties which require more knowledge of case law, statutes, rules, and court policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Research Attorneys work directly with the judges and Administrative Office staff, under the supervision of the Housing Court's Deputy Legal Counsel, the Administrative Attorney, the Deputy Court Administrator, and the Chief Justice.

Duties:

Research Attorney I Duties: Research legal issues and questions, and assist in preparing well-written and error-free legal research memoranda and drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, rationales, judgments and memoranda of decision, particularly in complex cases;
• Assist in the training, administration, and oversight of law clerks and interns;
• Confer with and advise judges and Administrative Office staff on legal issues;
• Prepare material and participate in committees, meetings, and judicial conferences;
• Accurately and timely perform all required administrative tasks;

• Prepare material and participate in public outreach events;
• Travel to courthouses as required;
• Perform related duties as required.

Research Attorney II Duties:
• Regularly research complex or novel issues or arguments of law and prepare memoranda;
• Regularly assist in the training, administration and oversight of law clerks and interns
• Perform special projects as assigned;
• Perform 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 Housing Court Department and the Trial Court.

Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Housing 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:

These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Research Attorney:

Research Attorney I Requirements:
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school;
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar;
• 2 years of post-law school, professional legal work experience;
• Prior post-graduate judicial clerkship, particularly in the Housing

Court Department, is preferred;
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills;
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using both online and book resources;
• Ability to assist in the training, administration and oversight of law clerks and interns;
• Experience and knowledge in the use of personal computers, including word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and legal research services such as Lexis or Westlaw;
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions;
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments;
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, and law clerks;
• Willingness and ability to travel to courthouses as required.

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, procedures, and practices;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and research complex legal issues;
• Demonstrated ability to assist in the training, administration and oversight of law clerks and interns;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze administrative concerns and to develop feasible solutions.

Closing Date/Time: 2023-12-04