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Departmental Mission Statement: The Probate and Family Court is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/probateandfamilycourt/index.html

Notes:

This position is designated as management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Salary will be commensurate with experience

Position Summary: Working within the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court and under the direction of the Chief Justice and Deputy Court Administrator, the Assistant Deputy Court Administrator/Legal Counsel provides specialized administrative oversight and legal support. The Assistant Deputy Court Administrator assists the Chief Justice and the Deputy Court Administrator on legal matters, researching legal questions, writing memoranda, developing procedures and rules, analyzing legal and administrative issues, drafts regulations and proposed legislation, and develops and implements uniform case processing practices and programs related to effective case management and Trial Court best practices.

Supervision Received: The Assistant Deputy Court Administrator receives general direction from the Chief Justice and the Deputy Court Administrator of the Probate and Family Court Department.

Duties: The position of Assistant Deputy Court Administrator-Legal Counsel provides specialized administrative oversight and legal support to the Probate & Family Court Department (P&FCD). The role requires considerable independent judgment in making important decisions, sometimes with limited procedural and policy guidelines;

Provides legal counsel to the Chief Justice and the Deputy Court Administrator;

Interprets and applies court rules, standing orders, statutes, directives and policies related to matters within the P&FCD;

Makes recommendations as to policy and procedure on all P&FCD related matters, including technical issues related to the electronic case management system and related technology;

Works with P&FCD personnel in the development of legal modifications to the electronic case management system and related technology that will support the effective integration of rules, uniform practices and procedures, statutes and case law;

Prepares abstracts, memoranda, and administrative reports; draft rules, uniform practices, and proposed legislation; develops guidelines and procedures for the P&FCD;

Provides legal advice to judges and other court personnel on all law-related matters in the P&FCD and conducts special research projects as necessary;

Manages, assigns, reviews and trains all research attorneys and law clerks

Responds to inquiries and requests from judges, the public, attorneys, court employees, and others concerning legal aspects of the P&FCD;

Responds to requests for information from the media, legislature, judges, clerk/magistrates, probation officers, and other agency personnel;

Serves as the liaison between the Boston Municipal Court Department and state agencies and community resources dealing with matters within the jurisdiction of the P&FCD; and

Performs other related duties as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to prove efficiency in the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and the P&FCD missions.

Applied Knowledge Demonstrated experience using knowledge of court rules and law as they pertain to the P&FCD.

Problem Solving Accurately identifies legal and operational issues regarding administration in the P&FCD and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions. Accurately assesses a variety of problems in the P&FCD and develops feasible solutions.

Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Assistant Deputy Court Administrator-Legal Counsel:

Law Degree from an accredited Law School with admission to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

Seven years of legal experience with particular emphasis on matters within the jurisdiction of the Probate & Family Court Department; management experience is preferred;

Thorough knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system and applicable statutes, case law, court rules and procedures relating to the Probate & Family Court Department;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, judges, employees and government agencies employees;

Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Demonstrated ability to independently complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments; and

Demonstrated ability to identify problems and to develop feasible solutions.

Employment with the Trial Court is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.