Assistant General Counsel

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Organization information
Organization name: 
Committtee for Public Counsel Services
Street address: 
44 Bromfield Street
City: 
Boston
State: 
Massachusetts
ZIP: 
02108
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

The Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking applicants for the Assistant General Counsel position. The Assistant General Counsel works in the General Counsel's Office and is responsible for providing a wide range of legal assistant and support.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

Position Overview:

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal services to indigent persons in criminal and civil matters in which the state or federal Constitutions, state statute, or case law require the appointment of counsel for any person who cannot afford to retain counsel. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction cases related to those matters. CPCS seeks applications for the position of Assistant General Counsel.

The Assistant General Counsel reports to the General Counsel.

Responsibilities:

The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for:

- Assisting program staff and Finance with the negotiation and development of contracts and providing legal counsel on
procurement related matters;
- Representing the Committee for Public Counsel Services in employment and labor matters, including administrative
hearings, or other proceedings and negotiations before the MCAD and the EEOC;
- Supervision of the CORI unit staff, and maintenance of the Massachusetts CJIS User Agreement and serving as the CJIS
technical Security Contact
- In collaboration with the General Counsel, outside Counsel and the Human Resource Department presenting employment
law training to CPCS staff.
- Assisting the General Counsel, in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, researching and advising internal
staff on a range of legal matters such as the review and development of personnel and performance policies;
- Assisting the General Counsel in conducting agency investigations;
- Representing the General Counsel at meetings;
- Responding to “Keeper of the Record” inquiries and correspondence;
- Assisting the General Counsel in actively collaborating with the Administrative Law department of the Office of the
Attorney General in the defense of civil actions against the Committee for Public Counsel Services and its personnel; and,
- Providing a wide range of legal counsel and support for general operations and administrative departments.

EEO Statement
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Director of Human Resources Management, Lisa Bacon, at [email protected]

Requirements: 

Candidates must have:

- J.D. degree from an accredited law school and an active license in good standing from the Board of Bar Overseers to
practice law in Massachusetts;
- Five (5) years of experience as a practicing lawyer or equivalent legal experience.

Qualifications/Skills:

- Preferred candidates will have at least seven (7) years of experience. Candidates with at least seven (7) years of
experience will be prioritized for interviews for this role.
- Commitment to zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons for whom there is a right to court-appointed
counsel;
- Experience in civil litigation practice, particularly Superior Court civil practice in Massachusetts;
- Strong legal research and writing skills;
- Strong leadership skills and qualities;
- Strong communication, analytical, interpersonal, negotiation, and decision-making skills;
- The ability to work independently and in a team environment;
- The ability to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information;
- The ability to resolve problems and conflicts diplomatically and tactfully;
- Significant experience with administrative law proceedings before the MCAD or EEOC; and,
- Significant experience in drafting policies within the public sector.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
$73,500 - $107,500, commensurate with years of experience
Submission deadline: 
Monday, December 3, 2018