Legal Chief of Staff

Legal Chief of Staff - Massachusetts Probation Service
Executive Management
Departmental Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Probation Service’s mission is to increase community safety, reduce recidivism, contribute to the fair and equitable administration of justice, support victims and survivors, and assist individuals and families in achieving long-term positive change.
This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Working within the Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP), as direct advisor to the Commissioner, the Legal Chief of Staff provides strategic and legal advice to the Commissioner of Probation and the Massachusetts Probation Service, which is a Department of the Trial Court. The Legal Chief of Staff advises the Commissioner and the Probation Service on a variety of matters, including the formulation, development and review of Probation policies, procedures and protocols, and Probation-related legislation, regulations, and standards; provides counsel on human resources, labor and disciplinary matters consistent with overarching Trial Court policy. The position analyzes and makes the final recommendation on key legal and administrative questions that come before the Probation Service and, specifically, the Commissioner.
The Legal Chief of Staff supervises and oversees the Deputy Commissioner – Legal Counsel’s management of the Probation legal unit and any other Probation personnel assigned by the Commissioner. The Legal Chief of Staff serves as a member of the Probation senior management team and contributes to the development of Probation’s strategic goals, initiatives, and benchmarks. The Legal Chief of Staff also represents the Commissioner of Probation in legal matters as authorized. Supervision Received: The Legal Chief of Staff operates under the direction of the Commissioner of Probation. Work product and performance are evaluated by the Commissioner for professional competence, accuracy, and adherence to all laws and professional standards, as well as Probation and Trial Court policies.
Duties: The position of Legal Chief of Staff requires strategic thinking and planning and considerable independent judgment in overseeing the MPS legal unit including:
Drafts or assigns and reviews legal memoranda on a variety of issues at the direction of the Commissioner including reviewing existing, new and proposed state and federal laws and state budget amendments, outside sections and regulations and providing guidance on their impact on the Probation Service's operations and mission. Collaborates with the Trial Court Legal Department on such issues;
Supervises the Deputy Commissioner – Legal Counsel and advises the incumbent on the management of legal matters.
Represents Probation in legal proceedings as authorized and provides litigation support in federal and state courts. Collaborates with the Trial Court Legal Department on litigation strategy and support.
Represents the Commissioner in serving on Probation and Trial Court committees and working groups on various administrative and legal issues, as assigned;
Determines prioritization, timeline and resourcing needs for strategic initiatives and establishes senior leader alignment within the MPS and across the Trial Court and with other external agencies and partners in the criminal justice system.
Drives cross-functional team execution and progress through collaborative partnerships with internal and external subject matter experts through effective policy planning and practice.
Drafts legal materials for meetings, prepares reports, and works directly with committee members;
Works in collaboration with Deputy Commissioner for Administrative Services on investigations into allegations of misconduct and, in consultation with the Trial Court Legal Department and Human Resources Department, makes recommendations to the Commissioner on the full range of disciplinary matters.
Oversees the Deputy Commissioner – Legal Counsel’s system of tracking investigations to ensure consistency and fairness of outcomes.
Collaborates with the Trial Court Legal Department, Human Resources Department and the Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance on such issues;
Serves as a member of the Probation senior management team, which advises the Commissioner of Probation on policy matters and strategic planning;
Prepares abstracts, memoranda, draft rules, and administrative reports and develops guidelines and procedures for Probation;
Reviews responses to inquiries and requests from judges, the public, attorneys, employers, jurors, and others concerning legal aspects of the Massachusetts Probation Service; Performs other related duties and management of special projects as directed by the Commissioner. Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of Probation Service and the Trial Court.
Leadership The ability to motivate staff and effectively execute the strategic goals and responsibilities of the Probation Service and legal unit.
Team Building (Motivating Others) Fosters a sense of shared goals and accountabilities through the development of positive relationships in order to promote a healthy work environment.
Strategic Thinking and Planning Utilizes the best available information to successfully achieve positive future outcomes on an organizational and local level.
Applied Knowledge Demonstrates legal experience using knowledge of court rules, particularly as it pertains to the Probation Service in the Massachusetts Trial Court.
Problem Solving Accurately identifies legal issues regarding Probation matters in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.
Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied economic and cultural backgrounds.
These are the minimum requirements necessary for the position of Legal Chief of Staff:
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, the Massachusetts criminal and civil justice systems, as well as the operations of state government generally, and a working knowledge of the Massachusetts General Laws relevant to Probation;
Advanced skills and abilities in performing legal research and in drafting legal memoranda and briefs;
Ability to engage in strategic planning, management and research techniques;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with Probation officials, Massachusetts judges and clerk-magistrates, Trial Court officials, district attorneys, defense counsel, federal and state agencies, and representatives of the public. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including the development of related initiatives;
Ability to identify and analyze administrative problems and to develop practical solutions; Ability to handle highly confidential material with discretion; Ability to travel to court locations and Probation offices throughout the Commonwealth as needed.
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