Division Chief – Appeals Division

Jobtailor; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior appellate attorney to lead the Appeals Division, supervising a team of over ten attorneys and two paralegals. You will manage a complex caseload and provide strategic guidance on substantive law, procedure, and policy across federal and state courts.

You will oversee HR and administrative operations, mentor staff, and coordinate with AGO leadership and external agencies while developing training resources and practice guides to strengthen the division's written advocacy

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing attorney and member of the Massachusetts Bar.
• Must be eligible for admission to the U.S. District Court and the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of appellate or heavy litigation experience including civil litigation and discovery practice.
• Experience in federal habeas corpus practice is preferred.
• Prior management and/or supervision experience is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop and strengthen the written work of the Division and oversee a large caseload.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise 10+ attorneys and 2 paralegals in the Appeals Division.
• Manage the Division’s caseload of ~400 criminal and civil matters in federal and state courts.
• Assign, review, and edit legal work across the division.
• Advise Division professionals and other state units on legal, procedural, and policy matters.
• Oversee division administrative operations and HR matters.
• Brief and coordinate with AGO leadership and other governmental entities.
• Develop training seminars and practice guides.
• Supervise litigation handled by agency counsel.
• Handle criminal and civil matters in trial and appellate courts.
• Contribute to investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with outside agencies.

Skills

Litigation Management

Oral Advocacy

Written Advocacy

Team Leadership

Massachusetts Bar Membership

Federal Habeas Corpus Practice

Appellate Practice Experience

Management and Supervision Experience

Legal Writing and Editing Skills

Communication

Education

Massachusetts Bar Membership

Admission to the U.S. District Court & First Circuit

Job description

• Directly manage and supervise more than ten attorneys and two paralegals in the Appeals Division
• Manage the Division’s caseload of approximately 400 criminal and civil cases in federal and state courts
• Assign, review, and edit legal work
• Advise Division professionals and other state government units on substantive legal, procedural, and policy matters
• Oversee Division administrative operations and human resource matters
• Brief and coordinate with AGO leadership and other governmental entities
• Develop training seminars and practice guides
• Supervise litigation handled by agency counsel
• Handle criminal and civil matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts
• Contribute to or oversee contributions to criminal investigations, trial teams, policy initiatives, and amicus activity
• Communicate effectively with outside agencies and maintain and cultivate those relationships

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
• 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 and interpersonal skills
• Excellent legal writing and editing skills
• 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
• Connection to the people and communities served and interest in supporting a respectful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive experience in managing legal teams and overseeing complex caseloads in both federal and state courts, with a strong emphasis on written and oral advocacy. Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and develop training resources to enhance legal practice.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Massachusetts Bar Membership
• Federal Habeas Corpus Practice
• Appellate Practice Experience
• Management and Supervision Experience
• Legal Writing and Editing Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Litigation Management
• Legal Research
• Case Review
• Oral Advocacy
• Written Advocacy
• Civil Litigation
• Discovery Practice
• Policy Development
• Training Development
• Complex Case Oversight

Soft Skills

• Effective Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Team Leadership
• Relationship Building
• Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy

Certifications & Qualifications

• Admission to the Bar of the United States District Court
• Admission to the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Industry Keywords

• Criminal Law
• Civil Law
• Federal Courts
• State Courts
• Appeals Division
• Legal Procedures
• Policy Matters
• Human Resource Management
• Training Seminars
• Amicus Activity