Associate Town Counsel

Town-of-Brooklin; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Brookline is seeking an Associate Town Counsel to provide general counsel services to all Town departments, boards, and elected officials. The role involves managing the Town's legal affairs, offering urgent opinions, and handling claims and litigation.

The successful candidate will hold a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, have five years of municipal law and general litigation experience, and be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar with eligibility for federal court admissions

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and five years of experience in municipal law and general litigation.
• Massachusetts Bar membership required; must be admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals within 90 days of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and supervises the Town's legal affairs and coordinates with boards and commissions.
• Provides immediate or informal legal opinions for urgent questions and daily operations.
• Represents the Town in superior, district, land, federal courts, and appellate courts.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, legislation, Town Meeting articles, and other legal documents.
• Maintains current knowledge of municipal law and handles claims and litigation.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Mediation

Conflict resolution

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school

Five years of experience in municipal law and general litigation

Job description

Career Opportunities with Town of Brookline

Location: 333 Washington Street
Brookline, MA, 02445

The Town of Brookline is accepting applications for the position of Associate Town Counsel. Under the general direction of Town Counsel, this highly qualified individual will be responsible for legal and administrative work providing general counsel services to all Town Departments, boards, committees, commissions, and elected and appointment officials.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, directs and supervises all of the Town's legal affairs and activities of the Town's law department; coordinates activities with the Select Board and other Town departments, boards and commissions.


• Provides immediate or informal legal opinions, on a walk-in or phone-in basis, for urgent questions, as well as everyday operational questions posted by Town officials.


• Researches and writes formal, legal opinions on a variety of matters for Town officials, boards and commissions.


• Investigates and evaluates claims against the Town and, as necessary, denies claims or negotiates settlements with attorneys, individuals claimants and insurance adjusters.


• Investigates and evaluates claims by the Town against others, and makes decisions whether to negotiate or litigate the claim.


• Directs and conducts discovery, investigation, pre-trial and post-trial motion practice for claims in litigation.


• Represents the Town injury trials, bench trials, motion hearings and conferences in the superior courts, districts courts, land courts and the federal district court.


• Represents the Town in appellate briefs and arguments before the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, the Appellate Division of the District Court, and before the appellate divisions of various administrative agencies.


• Represents the Town in evidentiary hearings and other proceedings before various administrative agencies of the Commonwealth.


• Handles all aspects of negotiations, claims and litigation related to insurance coverage.


• Drafts and reviews contracts, legislation, Town Meeting articles, correspondence, litigation documents and other legal documents.


• Drafts and reviews policies and procedures for various Town departments, boards and commissions.


• Appears at public hearings and meetings, including meetings of the Select Board, Town Meeting, the Advisory Committee, and other boards and commissions to provide legal advice.


• Provides general counsel services to all Town departments, boards, commissions, committees, elected and appointed officials.


• Provides general counsel services to all Town departments, boards, commissions, committees, elected and appointed officials.


• Conducts evidentiary hearings before the Select Board and the School Committee on licensing and disciplinary matters.


• Reviews legal periodicals, advance sheets and other publications and attends continuing education courses to maintain a current knowledge of developments in municipal law.


• Maintains good interpersonal relations with the various officials and employees of the Town.


• Fulfills statutory duties with respect to the functions of the Town's medical panel.


• Performs legal writing and research.


• Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school; five years of experience in municipal law and general litigation.

Special Requirements

Membership in the Massachusetts Bar required. Must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit within 90 days of appointment.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge. Expert knowledge of municipal law. Expert knowledge of state and federal litigation processes. Thorough knowledge of municipal government and intergovernmental relations.

Ability. Ability to deal appropriately and effectively with the general public, Town officials, commissions and boards, state and federal agencies, and the business community. Ability to negotiate contracts and other agreements with various parties. Ability to work under time pressure and in stressful circumstances. Ability to develop effective working relationships with subordinates and other Town departments. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, bylaws, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures, and apply them to specific situations and cases.

Skill. Superior oral communication skills and the ability to represent the Town before an array of organizations. Excellent writing skills required. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage a large number of projects and tasks at any given time. Possession of mediation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.

Starting salary range $120 - 136k plus a comprehensive benefits package.

The Town of Brookline is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce.