Public Sector Counsel II: Guardianship & Probate

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services seeks an Assistant General Counsel (Counsel II) for the Central West region, based in Springfield. You will provide practical legal advice to agency staff on a wide range of matters, including guardianship, protective services, and regulatory issues, with opportunities to represent the Department in Probate and Family Courts.

This role emphasizes collaborative, mission-driven public service and supervision of paralegal staff, with travel

Qualifications

• JD and MA bar admission required.
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills.
• Strong analytical abilities and judgment.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.
• Effective communicator with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clear presentations at hearings and trainings.
• Strong legal research capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal consultation to senior managers, regional staff, and field personnel.
• Handle guardianship and protective services cases for individuals with disabilities.
• Prepare memoranda, petitions, motions, reports, and letters.
• Represent the Agency in courts and tribunals; lead pre-hearing work and discovery.
• Conduct investigations and participate in informal hearings.
• Assist the Attorney General’s Office in cases where the Agency is an interested party.
• Supervise paralegals and administrative staff as assigned.
• Perform other legal tasks as assigned by the General Counsel.
• Travel throughout the state as required.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Analytical skills

Judgment

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder communication

Oral presentations

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Massachusetts Bar admission

Job description

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services seeks an Assistant General Counsel (Counsel II) for the Central West region, based in Springfield. You will provide practical legal advice to agency staff on a wide range of matters, including guardianship, protective services, and regulatory issues, with opportunities to represent the Department in Probate and Family Courts.

This role emphasizes collaborative, mission-driven public service and supervision of paralegal staff, with travel