General Counsel, Legal Division Chief

The mission of the State Ethics Commission is to foster integrity in public service in state, county and local government, to promote the public's trust and confidence in that service, and to prevent conflicts between private interests and public duties. We strive to accomplish this mission by conducting ongoing educational programs, providing clear and timely advice, and fairly and impartially interpreting and enforcing the conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws.

Description:

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission seeks highly qualified candidates for the position of General Counsel /Legal Division Chief.  The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief is the Commission’s chief legal officer and manages the Commission’s Legal Division and its staff of five attorneys and one administrative assistant. The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief performs, and supervises the Legal Division attorneys as they perform, duties including providing written and oral advice concerning the state conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws, drafting Commission opinions and advisories, serving as legal advisor to the Commission during adjudicatory proceedings, and representing the Commission in court.  Additional duties include reviewing municipal counsel opinions, advising the Executive Director and the Commission on legal issues affecting the agency, and conducting public education seminars. The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief reports to the Commission and the Executive Director.

Direct Reporting Staff:

The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief manages the Commission’s Legal Division and its staff of five attorneys and one administrative assistant.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Responds to telephone, walk-in, mail and email requests from municipal, county and state public employees and public officials for Commission advice regarding the prospective application of the Chapter 268A, the Conflict of Interest Law, and Chapter 268B, the Financial Disclosure Law.

- Drafts formal opinions for Commission approval and informal staff advisory opinions.

- Drafts educational advisories for Commission approval.

- Serves as legal advisor to the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings, prepares legal memoranda relating to the proceedings, makes recommendations to the Commission in deliberations, and drafts final decisions and orders as directed by the Commission.

- Conducts public education seminars.

- Represents the Commission in court as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

- Prepares legal and policy memoranda on topics of interest to the Commission.

- Supervises and reviews the work of five Legal Division attorneys and one administrative assistant.

- Reviews, through delegation by the Executive Director, opinions of municipal counsel.

- Drafts regulations for promulgation by Commission.

- Drafts legislation as directed by the Commission.

- Reviews disclosures submitted by public employees as required by G.L. c. 268A.

- Provides legal support and/or advice to the Executive Director, the Enforcement Division, and the Public Education &Communications Division of the Commission.

- Oversees the operation of the Legal Division's Statement of Financial Interests section.

- Reports to the Commission and the Executive Director.

 
Qualifications
 
Qualifications Required at Hire:

The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief position requires substantial experience and skill both as an attorney and as a manager. Candidates must have outstanding leadership, analytical, research, and written and oral communication skills.

- At least eight years of legal practice experience.

- Substantial management experience (at least three years strongly preferred).

- Significant experience in civil litigation.

- Ability to research, analyze and apply legal precedent to fact situations.

- Strong legal research, writing and analytical abilities.

- Ability to represent the Commission in trial and appellate courts.

- Ability to evaluate legislation and make recommendations for legislative changes.

- Knowledge and understanding of adjudicatory procedures, basic administrative law and rules of civil procedure as they relate to a civil law enforcement agency, including the conduct of adjudicatory hearings.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software.

- Knowledge of Massachusetts state, county, and municipal government; of the public records and open meeting laws; of employment law; and of the state conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws is strongly preferred.

Qualifications Acquired on Job:

- Thorough knowledge of Chapter 268A and 268B and Commission Regulations and Procedures.

- Enhanced ability to represent the Commission in court.

- Proficiency in use of Commission’s Local Area Network.

- Proficiency in use of Commission’s case management application.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

- Must possess a Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited school of law and be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts bar.

- Must have at least eight years of legal practice experience.

- Must have substantial management experience (at least three years is strongly preferred).

Remarks:

In addition to management responsibilities, the General Counsel/ Legal Division Chief is required to carry a caseload of opinions, adjudicatory proceedings and litigation.  The General Counsel/Legal Division Chief is: (1) subject to the prohibitions of G.L. c. 268B, section 2(f); (2) prohibited from engaging in the private practice of law; (3) and required to file an annual Statement of Financial Interests.

Comments:

This position is funded from the Commonwealth's annual operating budget and is subject to appropriation. This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 21 days.