Administrative Magistrate

The Division of Administrative Law Appeals ("DALA") is an independent agency that conducts adjudicatory hearings for other Massachusetts state administrative agencies. Currently, DALA conducts hearings for approximately 20 state agencies. A full description of its jurisdiction may be found on its website at www.mass.gov/dala.

This position requires the exercise of a considerable degree of judgment, independence, creativity and problem-solving ability. The person in this position may work under considerable pressure from the opposing parties in contested proceedings and is very visible to the public as the representative of the Commonwealth entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring all parties a fair and speedy resolution to their dispute. DALA, as most administrative agencies in the commonwealth, has limited administrative support resources. Any magistrate must be able to operate independently and produce written work with limited or no administrative support.

Duties include:

• Acts as an Administrative Magistrate: Manages a full case load of matters assigned by the Chief Administrative Magistrate.
• Manages the conduct of pre-hearing activities.
• Conducts trial-type adjudicatory hearings live or remotely pursuant to formal and informal rules.
• Decides motions, manages the conduct of adjudicatory proceedings.
• Prepares written decisions containing factual findings, legal conclusions and performs legal research.
• Prepares substantive and procedural orders.
• Must be able to work independently with limited administrative suppose.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Chief Administrative Magistrate, including management of one or more of the jurisdictional areas of the Division's practice.
• Maintains compliance with ethics and other standards of the bar, the agency and the Commonwealth.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years of experience in the practice of law in a position requiring independent judgment and performance; administrative hearing and/or civil litigation and trial experience are preferred.
• Superior writing ability as demonstrated by a sample substantive legal brief or memorandum of law prepared independently by the Applicant.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Word and the ability to prepare written materials with limited administrative support.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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