Assistant Legal Counsel, Supreme Judicial Court

Supreme Judicial Court Job Opportunity – Assistant Legal Counsel

This posting will remain open until filled, but consideration of candidates will begin as of June 30, 2025 (deadline revised on June 11, 2025). To be formally considered for this position, please view the full job description and submit all application requirements on:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/supreme-judicial-court-job-opportunity-assistant-legal-counsel

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT MISSION STATEMENT:

To promote the rule of law and foster public trust by leading an independent judiciary that assures every person equal access to the fair, timely, and impartial resolution of disputes in courts managed with efficiency and professionalism.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Legal Counsel assists the Legal Counsel and other members of the Legal Department in serving as a legal advisor to the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on complex legal and policy matters, including court rules, legislation, management, employment, and human resource issues that arise in the Court's operations, its oversight of the judicial branch, and its interactions with the other branches of Massachusetts government. The Assistant Legal Counsel also performs legal research and writing to assist the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court.

MAJOR DUTIES:

The following represents a partial list of the duties and responsibilities performed by the individual in this position:

• Provide staff support to the Chief Justice and the Justices on legal and policy issues that arise in the course of the Court's exercise of its administrative responsibilities
• Assist the Justices in their responsibility to adopt or approve all rules of court and rules of entities affiliated with the courts, such as the Board of Bar Overseers and the Board of Bar Examiners
• Provide guidance and advice on various employment and human resources-related issues and assist in the development of personnel policies, in addressing legal matters related to personnel, and in conducting workplace investigations
• Work with the Court's advisory rules committees, review and draft rules, amendments, and reports
• Coordinate the work of Court committees dealing with a wide range of issues of interest to the judicial branch
• Serve as a legal resource for the Justices and senior staff
• Research, analyze and make recommendations on legal issues relating to administration and management of the courts
• Perform other research, analysis and writing as requested, including research and writing assignments relating to decisions of the Court, legislation, speeches, and publications
• Plan, execute and oversee all aspects of special projects and other assigned tasks

SUPERVISION:

Receives supervision from the Chief Justice and the Legal Counsel to the Chief Justice.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• LL.B. or J.D. degree
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar
• Minimum 5 years of legal experience, preferably in Massachusetts
• Knowledge of Massachusetts law
• Knowledge of employment law and appellate experience and/or appellate judicial clerkship preferred
• Ability to identify and analyze complex legal issues, research statutes and case law, and prepare and present legal analyses and recommendations
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion
• Ability to organize tasks in an efficient manner, and to follow up with careful attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and in complete confidentiality
• Ability to lead and organize committee work
• Basic understanding of computer operations and ability to use common software programs including Microsoft 365 tools

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:

By law, only persons who are residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may serve as employees of the judicial branch.

SALARY:

Salary is Senior Management Tier 1 (SM1), with a range from $111,214.69 (Step 1) to $164,015.92 (Step 8). New employees typically begin at or near Step 1 and thereafter receive annual increases through Step 8.

OTHER NOTES:

This posting is for a position located at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston, MA, although the Supreme Judicial Court has a remote work policy under which employees may be allowed to work remotely for part of their weekly schedule.

Employees of the Supreme Judicial Court are prohibited from engaging directly or indirectly in the practice of law, unless they are acting within the scope of their employment or acting pro se.

Application Requirements

Each candidate must submit the following: (1) cover letter, (2) current resume, and (3) a completed SJC Employment Application and Addendum.

Applications for employment and the addendum to the application are available online at https://www.mass.gov/doc/supreme-judicial-court-application-for-employment-with-addendum.

Writing samples will be required for applicants who are invited to interview for the position.

All materials should be submitted by email to Blanca Tosado at blanca.tosado@jud.state.ma.us.

This posting will remain open until filled, but consideration of candidates will begin as of June 30, 2025.

The Supreme Judicial Court is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.