Assistant District Attorney - Appeals

SUMMARY:

The Assistant District Attorney - Appeals Unit is an Assistant District Attorney under the general supervision of the Chief of Appeals or First Assistant District Attorney. 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
• 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

In addition to these above responsibilities the Assistant District Attorney - Appeals Unit is required:

• To be familiar with and to follow the provisions of the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office Personnel Policies
• To participate in trainings relevant to Office functions
• Collaborate with peers to maximize productivity and produce the highest outcomes
• To communicate with or provide timely notification to Office staff, police, and other interested parties, as permitted and/or required by law
• To interact in a respectful and professional manner with the public, judicial and law enforcement personnel, and Office staff
• To complete work assignments in a timely manner
• To complete general administrative duties to include, filing, faxing, photocopying, etc.
• Perform any other duties at any jobsite as may from time to time be assigned to her/him by the District Attorney, or the First Assistant District Attorney or other designee of the District Attorney

• Ability to thrive as a team member with a deadline driven workload, at times requiring rapid responses to emerging trial court issues.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills that demonstrate brevity, clarity, and credibility
• Ability to act as, or assist, lead counsel in trial court on evidentiary hearings at all stages of a case
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and simplify highly complex legal and factual matters; distill the issues and make persuasive written and oral presentations in trial and appellate courts; as well as make presentations 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
• Present in office or at court daily to perform required duties absent a modified schedule granted in the sole discretion of the District Attorney and subject to revocation at any time
• 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 or eligible to receive the same in short order