JOB TITLE: Assistant District Attorney, Integrity Review Bureau
REPORTS TO: Chief, Integrity Review Bureau
FLSA STATUS: Full time; Exempt
COMPENSATION: $83,520; Commensurate with experience
POSITION PROFILE: The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO) is seeking an Assistant District Attorney with a strong commitment to public service and a record of excellent legal advocacy to join the Integrity Review Bureau (IRB). The IRB was created to ensure public integrity through its four initiatives: the Conviction Integrity Program; Case Integrity Review; LEAD Database (Law Enforcement Automatic Discovery); and the Sentencing Integrity Pilot Program. The IRB reinvestigates and resolves credible claims of actual innocence, wrongful conviction, and other issues that may have impacted the integrity of a case. The IRB has built policy, programs, and alliances with various governmental entities at a local, state, and federal level to advance its mission. The ADA will be responsible for maintaining the LEAD Database, reviewing case inquiries and applications for review by the IRB, conducting investigations in Conviction Integrity and Sentencing Integrity cases, and performing other job-related duties as required. This position includes collaborating with Boston Police Department Legal and other law enforcement agencies, as well as with SCDAO’s Appeals and Public Records Units.
Per SCDAO’s vaccine mandate, as a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details on demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Maintain the LEAD Database, including reviewing individuals for inclusion and/or removal from the database, working with colleagues to draft disclosure notices, and tracking appeals submitted by individuals included in the LEAD Database.
- Assist in any litigation that results from entries in the LEAD Database, including systemic review of matters handled by individuals entered into the LEAD Database.
- Review and respond to case inquiries from community members and convicted individuals.
- Interview witnesses, attorneys, relevant experts, and police officers.
- Work collaboratively with defense counsel and the community in resolving cases.
- Write detailed internal memoranda for each case assigned and screened.
- Review Case Integrity sentinel events for litigation and training purposes. Litigation may result in representation of the Commonwealth in all stages of post-conviction criminal litigation in the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and trial courts by, among other things:
- Researching, writing, and arguing appellate briefs;
- Preparing petitions to the Supreme Judicial Court for superintendence of the trial courts pursuant to G.L. c. 211, • 3; and
- Writing responsive motions, delivering legal argument, and conducting evidentiary hearings in the Superior and other trial courts in post-conviction matters pursuant to various Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure, including Rules 25, 29, 30, and 31.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Attend required training and other trainings relevant to Office functions.
- Attend weekly team meetings.
- Become familiar with and follow the provisions of the Office Personnel Policies.
- Become familiar with and model conformance with the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Exercise respectful and professional behavior and communication with the public, judicial and law enforcement personnel, and office staff.
- Other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Responsible for some supervision of interns.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Ability to lift boxes weighing 10-20 pounds.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
TRAVEL:
Travel to the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, and Superior Court, as well as occasional travel to other trial courts within Suffolk County and the Commonwealth is required.
EEO STATEMENT:
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Qualifications:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Required:
- J.D. degree from an accredited law school;
- Admission to the Massachusetts Bar in good standing;
- A minimum of two years of experience as a practicing attorney;
- Demonstrated commitment to public service and a strong academic record;
- Utmost integrity and commitment to fairness;
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills;
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information;
- Excellent research, oral and written communication, and analytical skills;
- Strong desire to work in a collegial team; and
- Aptitude and interest in the intricacies of trial and appellate work, as well as the development of laws and rules through particular cases and briefs.
Preferred:
- 24+ months of experience as a practicing attorney in criminal law.
- Background in performing investigations, including interviewing witnesses
- Experience cultivating relationships and serving as a liaison with community partners, members of the public, outside counsel, and law enforcement.
- Demonstrated interest in leading in a collegial and team-focused environment.