Assistant Attorney General | Appeals Division

NACBA; Springfield, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Appeals Division, seeks a highly motivated Assistant Attorney General to defend convictions and respond to federal challenges in state and federal courts. The role involves handling criminal and civil matters, contributing to investigations, and supporting policy initiatives.

Based in Boston with potential regional office placement, the position offers a hybrid model and a salary commensurate with JD year.

Qualifications

• Must be practicing attorneys and a member Massachusetts bar.
• Must obtain or be eligible for admission to the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Minimum of three years in appellate practice or other litigation with emphasis on written and oral advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Handles a large caseload of criminal and civil matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
• Represents judges, clerks, probation officers, prosecutors, and other officials when sued or subpoenaed.
• Contributes to criminal investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity.

Skills

Massachusetts bar

US District Court admission eligible

Appellate practice

Litigation

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

CRIMINAL BUREAU

APPEALS DIVISION

(Boston or Regional Office)

The Attorney General’s Office is looking for a highly motivated Assistant Attorney General with a commitment to public service to serve in the Appeals Division of the Criminal Bureau.

The Appeals Division defends Massachusetts convictions, criminal justice officials, and criminal laws and practices in state and federal courts. Specifically, the Division strives to uphold convictions secured by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) when they are challenged in the Massachusetts Trial Court, Appeals Court, and Supreme Judicial Court. It also responds to all challenges in federal court to convictions obtained by the AGO and the District Attorneys’ Offices, whether through habeas corpus actions, direct appeals, or otherwise. Additionally, the Division represents Massachusetts agencies and officials when they are sued or subpoenaed in relation to criminal justice matters.

PRIMARY DUTIES

The Assistant Attorney General handles a large caseload of criminal and civil matters, routinely appearing in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Such matters include: appeals and post-conviction matters in the Superior, Appeals, and Supreme Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth in connection with criminal cases prosecuted at the trial level by Assistant Attorneys General; federal habeas corpus actions in the United States District Court challenging Massachusetts convictions; appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from the grant or denial of habeas corpus relief; the representation of judges, clerks, probation officers, prosecutors, and other officials and agencies when they are sued civilly or subpoenaed to provide documents or testimony based on official actions undertaken during the criminal justice process; and the defense of statutes, rules, practices, and procedures concerning all aspects of the criminal justice system when they are challenged on constitutional or other grounds. Such an individual also contributes to criminal investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Must be practicing attorneys and a member Massachusetts bar. have obtained or be eligible for admission to the bar of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in appellate practice or other litigation with emphasis on written and oral advocacy, and in civil litigation and discovery practice.
• Ability to handle a large, varied caseload and complex cases
• Commitment to the ethical practice of law.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a connection to the people and communities we serve and an interest in supporting a respectful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

LOCATION

This position is typically based in Boston but may be based in one of our regional offices, located in New Bedford, Springfield, or Worcester, where such an arrangement is mutually beneficial for the AGO and the attorney.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time/Exempt. Our current hybrid model includes some remote workdays for most positions.

Salary: $90,125 to $134,513, commensurate with JD year.

The application deadline for this posting is October 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM (ET).

Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We will gladly assist applicants in need of an accommodation. For assistance, contact the Human Resources Division at [phone].

INQUIRIES REGARDING POSITION & STATUS

Frederick Goodrich, Paralegal

Appeals Division

[phone]

The Attorney General’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As the representative of the Commonwealth and its residents, the Attorney General’s Office strives to ensure that those working in the Office reflect the diversity of the communities that the Office serves. The AGO encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions