DIVISION CHIEF | Appeals Division

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks a Division Chief for the Appeals Division to lead a team of attorneys and paralegals across a broad caseload in federal and state courts. You will supervise, edit, and coordinate complex criminal and civil matters, advise on policy, and guide litigation strategies in collaboration with AGO leadership.

The ideal candidate has ten years of appellate or related litigation experience, Massachusetts Bar status, and strong writing/editing skills.

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing attorney and a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
• Must have obtained or be eligible for admission to the bar of the United States District Court and Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in appellate practice or other litigation involving a heavy emphasis upon written and oral advocacy, and in civil litigation and discovery practice.
• Experience in federal habeas corpus practice, preferred.
• Prior management and/or supervision experience required.
• Effective written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
• Excellent legal writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to develop and strengthen the written work of the Division.
• Ability to oversee a large, varied caseload and complex cases.
• Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar at the time of application.

Responsibilities

• Division Chief is responsible for the direct management and supervision of the more than ten attorneys and two paralegals in the Appeals Division, and its caseload of approximately 400 criminal and civil cases in federal and state courts.
• The Division Chief’s duties may include assigning, reviewing, and editing legal work; advising professionals in the Division and other units of state government on substantive legal, procedural, and policy matters; overseeing Division administrative operations and human resource matters; briefing and coordinating with AGO leadership and other governmental entities; developing training seminars and practice guides; and supervising litigation handled by agency counsel.
• Additionally, the Division Chief will handle a caseload of criminal and civil matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and will contribute, or oversee contributions, to criminal investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity.
• The Division Chief will be expected to communicate effectively with outside agencies, and to maintain and cultivate those relationships.

Skills

Attorney

Federal bar eligibility

Appellate experience

Habeas corpus

Management experience

Communication skills

Legal writing

Caseload management

Massachusetts Bar active

Job description

Position Requirements

• Must be a practicing attorney and a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
• Must have obtained or be eligible for admission to the bar of the United States District Court and Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in appellate practice or other litigation involving a heavy emphasis upon written and oral advocacy, and in civil litigation and discovery practice.
• Experience in federal habeas corpus practice, preferred.
• Prior management and/or supervision experience required.
• Effective written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
• Excellent legal writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to develop and strengthen the written work of the Division.
• Ability to oversee a large, varied caseload and complex cases.
• Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar at the time of application.

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.

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 our office reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. The Office encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.

Primary Duties

Division Chief is responsible for the direct management and supervision of the more than ten attorneys and two paralegals in the Appeals Division, and its caseload of approximately 400 criminal and civil cases in federal and state courts. The Division Chief’s duties may include assigning, reviewing, and editing legal work; advising professionals in the Division and other units of state government on substantive legal, procedural, and policy matters; overseeing Division administrative operations and human resource matters; briefing and coordinating with AGO leadership and other governmental entities; developing training seminars and practice guides; and supervising litigation handled by agency counsel. Additionally, the Division Chief will handle a caseload of criminal and civil matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and will contribute, or oversee contributions, to criminal investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity. The Division Chief will be expected to communicate effectively with outside agencies, and to maintain and cultivate those relationships.

Position Type

Full-Time/Exempt. Our current hybrid model includes some remote workdays for most positions. On in-office days, employees are required to report to one of our designated office locations, either in Boston or at a regional office.

Salary

$147,202

Application Deadline

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

Disability Accommodation

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].

Contact

Catherine McGuane, Managing Administrative Assistant
Criminal Bureau
[phone]