Legal Chief of Staff - Massachusetts Probation Service

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Full-time - Senior

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Legal Chief of Staff serves as a direct advisor to the Commissioner of Probation within the Massachusetts Probation Service. This role involves providing strategic and legal advice on various matters, including the development of policies, procedures, and legislation related to probation. The Chief of Staff supervises the legal unit, collaborates with other departments, and represents the Commissioner in legal matters, contributing to the overall strategic goals of the Probation Service.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and legal advice to the Commissioner of Probation.
• Draft or assign and review legal memoranda on various issues.
• Supervise the Deputy Commissioner - Legal Counsel and manage legal matters.
• Represent Probation in legal proceedings and provide litigation support.
• Collaborate with the Trial Court Legal Department on litigation strategy.
• Serve on Probation and Trial Court committees on administrative and legal issues.
• Determine prioritization, timeline, and resourcing needs for strategic initiatives.
• Draft legal materials for meetings and prepare reports.
• Collaborate on investigations into allegations of misconduct and make recommendations on disciplinary matters.
• Prepare abstracts, memoranda, draft rules, and administrative reports.

Requirements

• Law Degree from an accredited law school and membership in the Massachusetts Bar.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional legal experience, including significant litigation experience.
• Significant experience in a senior legal position, preferably as senior agency counsel, including a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system and relevant laws related to Probation.
• Experience in drafting discovery responses and dispositive motions in civil cases.
• Advanced skills in legal research and drafting legal memoranda and briefs.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.

Nice-to-haves

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Ability to handle highly confidential material with discretion.