The Assistant District Attorney – Appeals Unit is an Assistant District Attorney under the general supervision of the Chief of Appeals or Chief Legal Counsel. The Assistant District Attorney – Appeals Unit represents the Commonwealth in accordance with the District Attorney’s statutory authority in the various trial courts in Plymouth County, the Supreme Judicial Court, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, the Appeals Court and courts in other counties.
The Assistant District Attorney – Appeals Unit is an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and serves at the pleasure of the District Attorney.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Respond to daily inquiries and requests for immediate assistance from trial attorneys, appeals attorneys, and Executive Staff
- Available to be present in office or at court on a daily basis to perform required duties absent a modified schedule granted in the sole discretion of the District Attorney and subject to revocation at any time
- Review and advise on requests for affirmative appeals from trial court rulings
- Assigned to appellate or trial court cases as needed
- Assigned to research and write briefs and legal memoranda
- Assigned to appear before the trial courts, Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court to prosecute, litigate and present cases on behalf of the Commonwealth
- Assigned to research, write and argue motions, memoranda and briefs both pre- and post-conviction
- Other assignments in support of the Office of the District Attorney as needed
- Assist with trainings and conferences, internal and external, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to thrive as a team member with a fast-pace, time-sensitive, deadline driven workload, often requiring responses to rapidly emerging trial court issues
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills that demonstrate brevity, clarity and credibility
- Ability to be lead counsel in trial court on evidentiary hearings at all stages of a case
- Ability to analyze and simplify highly complex legal and factual matters; distill the issues and write, argue, or present highly persuasive presentations in trial and appellate courts, as well as for internal review, decision-making and policy purposes
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster a positive, collaborative working environment
- Ability to prioritize time sensitive matters and ensure all deadlines are met
- Embodies and shares the following attributes: sharp attention to detail, ability to exercise discretion with confidential information, ability to contribute and work as part of a high-functioning, disciplined and highly motivated team, positive attitude and willingness to learn new processes and adapt to new guidelines as needed
- Juris Doctorate and license to practice in MA
Interested candidates must send their resume, cover letter and two writing samples to:
PlymouthDA.JobApplications@MassMail.State.MA.US
District Attorney Cruz is committed to recruiting and retaining staff that reflects the diversity of the multicultural community that we serve. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office affords equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity or expression, genetics, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, political affiliation, veteran status or any other status that is protected by local, state or federal law.