Employment Attorney

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health, is seeking an experienced Employment Attorney to join its legal team. You will advise on employment law, oversee investigations, and help shape workforce policies across the agency.

The role requires a JD, MA Bar admission, and at least six years of practice; supervisory experience may be required. The position offers a mission-driven public service environment in Boston with opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• JD degree and MA Bar admission required.
• At least six years of full-time legal practice in a relevant area.
• Supervisory responsibilities may be required.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and administrative procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Department’s primary employment law advisor on workplace policies, employee relations, investigations, discipline, and wage and hour compliance.
• Represent the Department in administrative proceedings and employment-related litigation before state and federal forums.
• Manage all phases of employment litigation and draft/ negotiate settlement agreements and legal documents.
• Advise leadership on legal risk, policy development, and compliance objectives.
• Develop and deliver training programs on employment law and workplace compliance.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Massachusetts Bar admission

Six years of professional experience in the practice of law

Supervisory experience may be required

Job description

Job Description

Job Description - Employment Attorney (260005WM)

Job Description

Employment Attorney - (260005WM)

Description

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Employment Attorney to join its dynamic legal team. This is an outstanding opportunity for a skilled legal professional to help shape workforce policies and employment practices within one of the Commonwealth’s largest and most impactful public health agencies. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to Department leadership, managers, and program staff on a broad range of employment law matters, while helping to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and workplace standards. Your work will directly support DPH’s mission to promote health equity, strengthen public health systems, and foster a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace for thousands of employees across the Commonwealth.

As the Department’s primary employment law resource, you will manage complex employment litigation, represent DPH before administrative agencies and tribunals, advise on employee relations matters, and provide strategic counsel on workplace policies, investigations, accommodations, discipline, labor relations, and risk management. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with executive leadership, human resources professionals, labor representatives, and program managers on high-impact legal and policy initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess strong litigation and advisory skills, and enjoy balancing legal strategy with practical problem-solving. In return, DPH offers meaningful public service work, exposure to complex and evolving legal issues, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities across Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the Department’s primary legal advisor on employment law matters, providing counsel on workplace policies, employee relations, accommodations, investigations, discipline, wage and hour compliance, and anti-discrimination requirements.
• Represent the Department in administrative proceedings, enforcement actions, and employment-related litigation before agencies and tribunals including MCAD, EEOC, DUA, DALA, and other state and federal forums.
• Manage all phases of employment litigation, including case evaluation, legal research, discovery, motion practice, evidentiary review, hearing preparation, and post-hearing submissions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate settlement agreements, legal correspondence, enforcement actions, and other legal documents to support Department operations and compliance objectives.
• Advise Department leadership, managers, and program staff on legal risk management, employment decisions, litigation strategy, and the development of legally sound policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development, interpretation, and implementation of employment-related regulations, policies, and operational practices that align with state and federal legal requirements.
• Provide legal guidance and support to assigned Department programs, helping advance agency initiatives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Coordinate enforcement activities and legal matters with external agencies, law enforcement partners, labor representatives, and other governmental entities as required.
• Develop and deliver training programs for managers and staff on employment law, workplace compliance, employee relations, labor issues, and related legal topics.
• Serve as the Department’s employment law subject matter expert, providing guidance to leadership and staff on complex workplace issues and emerging legal developments.
• Supervise and mentor attorneys of a lower grade, support professional development efforts, and ensure compliance with ethical standards and rules of professional responsibility.
• Collaborate with Department staff to improve business processes, protect confidential information, support policy development, and promote a professional, respectful, equitable, and non-discriminatory work environment.

Required Qualifications

• General knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of law, particularly employment law.
• Familiarity with the procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
• Understanding the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing agency operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience practicing employment law, including advising organizations on employee relations, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, accommodations, and compliance matters.
• Knowledge of federal and Massachusetts employment laws, regulations, and administrative procedures, including wage and hour, discrimination, leave, and labor relations requirements.
• Experience with administrative litigation and representation before agencies such as MCAD, EEOC, DUA, DALA, or comparable hearings.
• Proven ability to analyze complex legal issues, assess organizational risk, and develop practical, legally sound recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft legal memoranda, pleadings, settlement agreements, policies, and training materials.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with executives, managers, human resources professionals, labor representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of workplace investigations, employee misconduct matters, performance management, and progressive discipline practices.
• Experience with legal research, litigation strategy development, discovery management, motion practice, and settlement negotiations.
• Capacity to present legal concepts and compliance requirements to diverse audiences through training, consultation, and guidance.
• Familiarity with public sector employment practices, collective bargaining environments, government operations, and administrative law principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams.

Please Note: This position is designated as Confidential and as such is excluded from the NAGE Unit 6 Union. Most benefits are governed by the Commonwealth's "Red Book" and dental/vision benefits will be with the Group Insurance Commission.

DPH Mission and Vision

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. 4

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association, and at least (A) six years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency. Based on assignment and supervisory responsibilities, three years in a supervisory capacity may be required. Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

An Equal Opportunity / Affiantive Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

If you have Diversity, Affiantive Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Sandra Semedo/[e-mail] - 6173524250

Official Title

Counsel III

Location

United States-Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street

Job

Legal Services

Agency

Department of Public Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting Date

Sep 8, 2026, 7:45:04 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

107,613.74 - 156,923.78 Yearly

Confidential

Yes

Hybrid Work Schedule Possible?

No