Assistant General Counsel

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Retirement System is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice on benefits, litigation, and investments. You will work directly with the General Counsel, Executive Officer, and Board Trustees to ensure regulatory compliance and effective legal services for the system’s members.

You will lead disability case preparation, represent the system in hearings or oversee outside counsel, and support board processes.

Qualifications

• Five years of full-time or equivalent part-time practice in litigation, administrative procedure, or investments.
• Law degree from a certified law school and admission to the Massachusetts Bar.
• Familiarity with MGL chapter 32 and regulations governing benefits and investments.
• Knowledge of administrative law and procedure is advantageous.
• Experience in a unionized civil service environment is helpful.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Directly report to the General Counsel, Executive Officer, and Board Trustees.
• Ensure legal compliance of the Board's benefits and investments programs.
• Attend disability review officer hearings and prepare disability cases for Board presentation.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to staff and Board on disputes and regulatory matters.
• Litigate or supervise outside counsel for denied benefits and agency/court disputes.
• Assist with board preparation, meetings, and outreach to members and representatives.
• Interpret PERAC rulings and communicate regulatory decisions to managers and staff.
• Ensure compliance with 91A earnings reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and document best practices.

Skills

Litigation

Administrative procedure

Investments

Attention to detail

Judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Massachusetts Bar Admission

Job description

The Boston Retirement System seeks to provide accurate, timely, and consistent guidance and benefits to its members. The Assistant General Counsel provides legal advice and services to the Board of Trustees and staff regarding benefits, litigation, and investments.

• Directly report to the General Counsel, Executive Officer, and Board Trustees.
• Ensure legal compliance of the Board's benefits program. Provide legal advice and assistance as necessary.
• Ensure legal compliance of the Board's investments program. Provide legal advice and assistance as necessary.
• Attend disability review officer hearings as necessary.
• Prepare disability cases for Board presentation and elaborate, when necessary, at Board meetings.
• Participate in client outreach efforts as requested by the General Counsel or the Executive Officer.
• Communicate with members and their representatives as necessary.
• As directed by the General Counsel, litigate or supervise litigation by outside counsel for denied benefits claims and disputes at administrative agencies and courts.
• Help prepare and try cases and help supervise outside counsel in the preparation and trial of cases.
• Review, approve, and implement court orders and DOR/CSE orders in divorce and child support matters.
• Provide responses to Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Provide responses to subpoenas directed at the System.
• Help prepare for and attend Board meetings when required.
• Interpret and communicate rulings by the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) and other regulatory agencies that affect the services provided by the Board to the managers and staff to help ensure compliance.
• Ensure member compliance with Section 91A (certify earnings by submitting W-2, 1099, etc.).
• Work on special projects at the discretion of the General Counsel and/or the Executive Officer.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the department, including, but not limited to, ways to limit exposure and ensure compliance.
• Contribute to the documentation of best practices for the department.
• Perform related duties as required.

• Five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional practice in litigation, administrative procedure, and or/investments.
• A law degree from a certified law school and admission to the Massachusetts Bar are mandatory.
• Familiarity with MGL chapter 32 and regulations investing benefits and investments is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of administrative law and procedure is advantageous.
• Experience working in a unionized/civil service environment is also helpful.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

• Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-14
• Hours per week: 35