Assistant Attorney General/ Chair, Contributory Retirement Appeal Board

Attorney General Campbell is looking for a highly motivated attorney to join her team as an Assistant Attorney General to serve as Chair of the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board. The Contributory Retirement Appeal Board (CRAB) reviews appeals arising under G.L. c. 32, the retirement law applicable to public employees within the Commonwealth.

The CRAB board consists of an Assistant Attorney General, who acts as the chair, and three additional members, including a designee of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC), a designee of the commissioner of public health, and an appointee of the governor. CRAB sits in panels of three. In disability cases the public health designee acts in place of the PERAC designee. Cases are appealed to CRAB after initial consideration and decision by an administrative magistrate of the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA), who holds an evidentiary hearing and makes findings of fact and rulings of law. CRAB does not conduct hearings. It conducts its review based on the record of proceedings before DALA.

Primary Duties: As CRAB chair, the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) will draft administrative decisions for consideration by the CRAB board, plan and chair meetings, and, with the assistance of the CRAB paralegal, address inquiries by the parties and rule on procedural motions. The AAG will administer the CRAB caseload in accordance with CRAB’s Standing Orders, which provide procedural rules governing appeals before CRAB, and which also provide that CRAB’s rules are to be applied “so as to achieve a just, speedy, and fair determination” of appeals. In administering the CRAB caseload, the CRAB chair will also be responsible for supervising the work of a paralegal and an AAG.

The AAG will also act as a resource to the attorneys in the Office of the Attorney General, and in particular, to those in the Constitutional & Administrative Law Division, relative to the Massachusetts public retirement law, G.L. c 32. The AAG will consult on and assist with appeals of retirement decisions issued by CRAB to the Superior Court, Appeals Court, and Supreme Judicial Court. Additionally, the AAG will represent the Office of the Attorney General and CRAB at conferences in the area of public retirement and will prepare related educational materials. The AAG may also conduct trainings for members of the Attorney General’s Office.

Position Requirements: An applicant must be a member of the Massachusetts bar and the bar of the United States District Court for Massachusetts (or be eligible for admission to the federal bar upon hire). In addition, applicants must have exceptional legal writing skills and the ability to independently handle a large caseload of administrative appeals. Applicants should have familiarity with the retirement law, G.L. c. 32, and an extensive background in statutory interpretation and administrative law. At least three to five years of relevant legal experience is preferred. The preferred candidate will also have demonstrated the ability to manage an attorney and a paralegal. The successful candidate will appreciate the importance of a lawful and just resolution of retirement appeals brought by public employees and retirement boards and will be able and willing to communicate effectively with members of the public and litigants, including those who are self-represented. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a connection to the people and communities we serve and an interest in supporting a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar at the time of application.

Position Type: Full-time/Exempt

Our current hybrid model includes some remote workdays for most positions. On in-office days, employees are required to report to one of our designated office locations, either in Boston or at a regional office.

Salary: $126,531

Application Process: To apply for this position, visit the AGO website via this link, upload your cover letter and resume, and submit an application. Candidates may only apply directly online using the AGO’s Employment and Recruitment jobs portal.

Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We will gladly assist applicants who are in need of an accommodation. For assistance, contact the Human Resources Division at (617) 963-2932.

Inquiries regarding position & status may be made to:

Sherrie Costa, Managing Administrative Assistant

Government Bureau

(617) 963-2071

The Attorney General’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As the representative of the Commonwealth and its residents, the Attorney General’s Office strives to ensure that those working in our office reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. The Office encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions