Research Attorney I – Superior Court Administrative Office

Job Description

Research Attorney I – Superior Court Administrative Office | Massachusetts Trial Court

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Massachusetts Trial Court, located primarily in Suffolk County (Boston), Bristol County (Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton), Western Massachusetts, and possibly another location, with a hybrid work schedule available after an initial training period. The Massachusetts Trial Court is committed to delivering high-quality justice in a timely and fair manner across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This role is crucial for providing essential legal research and writing assistance to the Justices of the Superior Court, ensuring the court operates efficiently and fairly in accordance with the rule of law.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, Boston, MA (and other assigned locations)
• Pay: $107658.72–$158672.02 yearly
• Team: Works under the direction of an assigned judge(s) and the Departmental Administrative Office.
• Mission: Provides legal research and writing support to Superior Court Justices to uphold timely and fair justice.
• Tech Stack: Computers and applicable software, legal research services and databases

What You’ll Actually Do
• Research: Researches and analyzes relevant legal materials, including case law, statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Drafting: Drafts legal decisions, orders, and research memoranda for judges.
• Consultation: Provides immediate legal research for judges on issues arising during trials and other court proceedings, and advises on legal matters.
• Training: Oversees and trains law clerks and judicial interns, guiding their legal work.
• Collaboration: Assists judges, fellow research attorneys, and law clerks with proofreading, editing, and legal interpretation of documents.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university, with admission to and good standing with the Massachusetts Bar.
• Experience: One year of related work experience; judicial clerkship experience (paid full-time post-graduate employment as a law clerk) is applicable.
• Skills: Legal research, legal writing, critical thinking, analysis, attention to detail, organization, time management, proofreading, effective oral and written communication, ability to work independently.
• Bonus: Knowledge of modern office equipment and technology, legal research services and databases, case law, statutory law, rules, regulations, and procedure applicable to the Superior Court Department.