Associate Counsel - Litigation

University of Massachusetts; Shrewsbury (MA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts seeks a Litigation Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel to manage litigation across the system’s campuses. You will advise, advocate, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, handling state and federal court matters and administrative reviews.

The role requires MA J.D. and licensure with at least 6 years of relevant experience, strong writing and oral advocacy, and the ability to work collaboratively under deadlines.

Qualifications

• J.D. and licensure in Massachusetts required.
• At least 6 years of litigation experience, preferably complex matters.
• Exemplary writing, legal research, oral advocacy, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation, advice, and counsel to University system and campuses in state and federal courts and agencies.
• Collaborate with OGC colleagues, campus staff, external counsel, and agency partners on litigation matters.
• Perform research, discovery, draft motions and briefs, and prepare for hearings and trials.
• Ensure retention, production, and protection of litigation documents; use case management systems.
• Advise campus clients on employment, student discipline, and non-litigation matters as needed.

Skills

Writing excellence

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

J.D. and Massachusetts licensure

Job description

Pay Range:

The UMass President's Office expects to pay within an approximate hiring range between $130,000 - $170,000 for this position. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Position Summary:

Litigation Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel ("OGC") is responsible for litigation matters concerning the University's President's Office, its Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, Westborough and Worcester campuses and offices in all state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

Essential Functions:

• Provide legal representation, advice, and counsel to University system, campuses, campus officers, administrators, and employees in a timely manner, in response to (and/or in an effort to resolve pre-litigation) claims made in state courts, federal courts, administrative agencies, and appellate courts concerning matters including, but not limited to, those involving civil rights, student affairs, and employment.
• Collaborate and interact with colleagues in the OGC, with campus and system employees, with court personnel, with external counsel, Office of the Attorney General ("OAG") attorneys, and agency counsel and principles (such as Department of Higher Education, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and the Secretary of State's Office), and with opposing counsel and unrepresented parties concerning litigation matters.
• Perform legal research, conduct discovery, draft motions and briefs, present oral arguments, prepare for, attend, and have principal responsibility for hearings and trials, and conduct meditations and settlement negotiations necessary to the representation of the University and/or its employees in litigation matters.
• Ensure appropriate retention, gathering, preservation, protection, logging and production of litigation documents.
• Usage of the various facets of our OGC case management system and related technology.
• Assist with the hiring of new employees or interns and evaluation of supervisees; oversee work of litigation support staff and legal interns.
• Work with/supervise outside counsel and/or attorneys from OAG on some matters.
• Advise campus clients as a business partner on matters such as the hiring and termination of employees consistent with state and federal requirements, the management of student discipline under relevant due process and Title IX standards, and other non-litigation and pre-litigation general Higher Ed matters.
• Coordinate with public communications, public records, procurement, insurance, compliance, risk management, and other non-litigation colleagues within the UMPO and on the campuses concerning litigation and pre-litigation matters.

Other Functions/Responsibilities:

• Perform other responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. and licensure in Massachusetts.
• At least 6 years litigation experience, preferably involving complex employment and/or discrimination matters.
• Exemplary writing, legal research, oral advocacy, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure on deadline and with a variety of University staff positions.
• Excellent analytical skills, creative thinking, problem solving and decision making, and a collaborative style are necessary attributes for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in learning new areas of law.
• Interest in developing superior communication and mediation skills desirable;
• Interest in engaging in continued professional development through internal and external means.

Working Conditions:

• Typical Office environment, located in Westborough or Boston, with hybrid schedule as directed by the General Counsel;
• Travel by car as necessary to University campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester as well as other in-state locations including, but not limited to, state and federal courts.

Additional information:

All offers are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.