Deputy Legal Counsel-Housing Court

Official Title: Deputy Legal Counsel-Housing Court

Pay Grade: Senior Management 1

Salary Range: SM1 Entry Level Pay $111,214.74 to Pay Range Maximum $164,015.80

Starting Pay: $111,214.74/yr.

Salary Notes: This position is designated as Management. Starting Salary will be based on a review of qualifications and experience.

Departmental Mission Statement: The Housing Court’s mission is to adjudicate all matters presented by litigants within its jurisdiction regarding housing in a fair, efficient, and timely manner according to the rule of law and the facts presented.  In accordance with this mission, the Housing Court, through its operating philosophy and business practices, strives to present a citizen-oriented process to maximize access to justice for all such litigants.  All members of the Housing Court are committed to this mission and process to fulfill our role within the judicial branch.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/housing-court

Notes:

• This position is designated as management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
• This position is ONLY for current employees of the Administrative office of Housing Court.
• This position currently offers a hybrid schedule of no more than two days remote per week (subject to change).

Position Summary: Working within the Administrative Office of the Housing Court Department (AOHC), the Deputy Legal Counsel provides advice on legal matters, researches legal questions, writes memoranda, develops court procedures and rules, analyzes legal and administrative issues, drafts regulations and proposed legislation, prepares and presents trainings. The AOHC provides administrative and legal support to Justices, Clerks of Court, and employees of the Housing Court Department, under the direction of the Chief Justice of the Housing Court.

Supervision Received:  This position will receive supervision from the Chief Justice, Deputy Court Administrator, and Assistant Deputy Court Administrators.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• The Deputy Legal Counsel provides legal support to the Justices, Clerks of Court, and employees of the Housing Court Department, on cases and all law-related matters in the jurisdiction of the Housing Court;

• Conducts special research projects as necessary; legal expertise and clear and concise communication skills are essential in fulfilling this role;

• Interprets and applies court rules, standing orders, statutes, directives, and policies related to matters within the Housing Court;

• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal bulletins, memoranda, draft rules, and uniform practices;

• Responds to inquiries and requests from Justices, Clerks of Court, court employees, attorneys, and the public concerning legal aspects of the Housing Court;

• Develops and assists in the development of training materials and presents training for Justices, Clerks of Court, and employees of the Housing Court Department;

• Makes recommendations as to policy and procedure on a variety of Housing Court related matters;

• Provides legal advice to judges and other court personnel on all law-related matters in the Housing Court;

• Represents the Housing Court Department and acts as professional staff to Trial Court committees, task forces and working groups as assigned by the Chief Justice, Deputy Court Administrator, and/or their designee;

• Supervising associate counsels and other legal staff as assigned.

• Serves as the liaison between the Housing Court Department and state agencies and community resources dealing with matters within the jurisdiction of the Housing Court as assigned; and

• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Competencies:  All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to prove efficiency in the following areas:

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Housing Court missions.

Applied Knowledge: Demonstrated experience using knowledge of court rules and law as they pertain to the Housing Court Department.

Problem Solving: Accurately identifies legal and operational issues regarding administration in the Housing Court Department and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions. Accurately assesses a variety of problems in the Housing Court and develops feasible solutions.

Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Deputy Legal Counsel:

• Law Degree from an accredited Law School;

• Admission to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

• Thorough knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system and applicable statutes, case law, court rules and procedures relating to the Housing Court Department;

• Five (5) years or more of legal experience with particular emphasis on matters within the jurisdiction of the Housing Court Department;

• Thorough knowledge of sophisticated legal research techniques and methods, including competence in computer-assisted legal research, such as the skilled use of Westlaw and other online legal research services;

• Considerable skills and abilities in the application of logical reasoning to perform detailed statutory analysis;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, judges, employees and government agencies employees;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Demonstrated ability to independently complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments;

• Ability to properly rank competing work priorities and to work efficiently to fulfill those priorities in a timely manner; and

• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and to develop feasible solutions.

Advertised: 07 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 14 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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