Deputy Bureau Chief at Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is looking for a dedicated, motivated, and experienced attorney to help lead the Government Bureau as the Bureau's Deputy Chief. The Bureau's Constitutional and Administrative Law Division represents the Commonwealth, its agencies, and officials in challenges to state laws, regulations, and actions. The Bureau's Trial Division defends the Commonwealth, its agencies, and officials in civil damages suits arising out of the performance of official duties. The Bureau develops and maintains close working relationships with the agencies it represents, often providing them with legal advice to prevent unnecessary and costly lawsuits or better position the Commonwealth to defend against them. The Bureau also enforces the state's Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law through the Division of Open Government; reviews town bylaws through the Municipal Law Unit; reduces blight and creates safer homes and neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Renewal Division; supervises the Chair of the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board; and administers the initiative petition process, which is established under Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution as a way for citizens to propose laws and constitutional amendments for approval by the electorate.

The Bureau's litigation work involves the discharge of the Attorney General's representation responsibilities under G.L. c. 12, 3 and G.L. c. 258, 6, as well as her authority to set a unified and consistent legal policy for the Commonwealth and her common-law duty to represent the public interest. That entails, among other things, carefully considering the ramifications of the Office's litigation choices on the interests of the Commonwealth and the public and ensuring that the Commonwealth and its agencies retain decision-making flexibility for future and unforeseen challenges.

This responsibility includes ensuring that the Attorney General's Office takes consistent and thoughtful positions on issues of government authority, so as to best allow the Commonwealth to defend its actions, achieve its policy objectives, and reserve decision-making flexibility for future and unforeseen legal challenges. It involves navigating the responsibility of the Attorney General under G.L. c. 12, 3, to develop the Commonwealth's uniform legal position on such matters.

Primary Duties:

The Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of the Bureau Chief, is responsible for supervising and directing the activities of a Bureau of approximately 105 employees, including Assistant Attorneys General, Paralegals, and support staff.

The responsibilities of the Deputy Bureau Chief include primary supervision for the Division of Open Government and the Municipal Law Unit, and together with the Bureau Chief, the ultimate supervision of the approximately 2,000 open cases in state and federal court handled by the Constitutional & Administrative Law Division and the Trial Division, as well as the Neighborhood Renewal Division, Gun Violence Prevention Unit, and Chair of the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board.

The Deputy Bureau Chief is also responsible for helping the Bureau Chief with the overall administration of the Bureau, including personnel matters, drafting reports on the Bureau's work, supervising Special Assistant Attorneys General, advising state agencies regarding threatened litigation, coordinating with other parts of the Attorney General's Office, and attending regular meetings with the Attorney General and other senior staff. As time permits, the Deputy Bureau Chief may personally handle significant or sensitive matters.

Position Requirements:

Applicants should have at least ten years of legal or equivalent experience, as well as a working knowledge of state government. The successful candidate will have management experience, as well as the ability to demonstrate effective communication, writing, legal-analytical, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills; sound judgment; and the ability to effectively represent the Office before state and federal courts, as well as collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including advocacy groups, opposing parties and their counsel, constituents, the Office's other Bureaus and Divisions, and other state, federal, and municipal officials.

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. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated ability to understand diverse perspectives and interact with constituents and community members with empathy and sensitivity. The successful candidate will also be expected to demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team. Must be a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt

Salary: $159,259

Application Process: To apply for this position, visit the AGO current opening at https://massago.bamboohr.com/careers to upload your cover letter and resume, and submit an application.

The application deadline for this posting is April 8, 2025.

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 (617) 963-2932.

Inquiries regarding position & status may be made to:

Sherrie Costa, Managing Administrative Assistant

Government Bureau

617-963-2071

The 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.

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