Assistant General Counsel, Litigation and Public Records

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is seeking an experienced attorney to join its General Counsel’s Office as Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Public Records. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of healthcare, public policy, litigation, and government operations within the Commonwealth’s largest secretariat. The General Counsel’s Office serves as a trusted legal partner across EOHHS and its agencies, providing strategic legal guidance on some of the Commonwealth’s most significant health and human services initiatives.

In this role, you will provide legal support to MassHealth and other EOHHS programs on a broad range of complex litigation, regulatory, and public records matters. The work is intellectually engaging and highly impactful, requiring close collaboration with agency leadership, program staff, and external partners. You will play a critical role in representing the agency in affirmative and defensive litigation, advising on public records compliance, supporting administrative and court proceedings, and developing legally sound strategies to support agency operations and policy objectives. This position is ideal for an attorney who values public service, enjoys complex legal analysis and advocacy, and is motivated by the opportunity to influence systems that directly impact millions of Massachusetts residents.

Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)

·       Represent EOHHS and MassHealth in affirmative and defensive litigation in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and appellate matters.

·       Manage all phases of litigation, including case preparation, discovery, dispositive motions, settlement negotiations, hearings, and trial preparation.

·       Defend MassHealth agency actions involving eligibility determinations, medical necessity decisions, rate setting matters, provider audit recoveries, and administrative appeals.

·       Provide legal guidance and support regarding public records requests, subpoenas, records retention obligations, and related compliance matters.

·       Process and produce records in response to public records requests and assist EOHHS agencies and program staff in responding to requests for information and legal process.

·       Defend EOHHS public records responses before the Supervisor of Records, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and in litigation proceedings when necessary.

·       Utilize e-discovery tools and technology to support litigation management and public records response efforts across EOHHS and its constituent agencies.

·       Identify and evaluate legal risks and exposures, and develop practical, legally defensible strategies and recommendations.

·       Provide legal counsel and risk analysis concerning the applicability of federal and state statutes and regulations affecting EOHHS programs, operations, and initiatives.

·       Draft, review, and revise legal memoranda, regulations, policies, procedures, briefs, correspondence, and other legal documents.

·       Collaborate with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and other governmental partners on litigation strategy and related legal matters.

·       Provide internal legal guidance to agency leadership, program staff, and EOHHS agencies on operational, regulatory, and policy issues.

·       Support MassHealth recovery initiatives, including estate recovery and casualty recovery matters in probate and superior court proceedings.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

·       Demonstrated professional experience with at least three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, legal practice or service in a role requiring Bar membership.

·       Membership in the Massachusetts Bar.

·       Strong legal research, analysis, and advocacy skills, including experience drafting motions, briefs, memoranda, and legal opinions.

·       Experience managing complex litigation matters and advising clients on legal risk and compliance issues.

·       Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively.

·       Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Experience in healthcare law, Medicaid law, administrative law, public records law, civil litigation, or government legal practice.

·       Demonstrated litigation experience in state or federal court, administrative proceedings, or appellate practice.

·       Experience advising public agencies, healthcare organizations, or highly regulated entities.

·       Familiarity with public records compliance, records retention requirements, and e-discovery processes.

·       Knowledge of state and federal healthcare regulations, public policy, and government operations.

·       Experience working collaboratively with executive leadership, program staff, and external stakeholders in a fast-paced legal environment.

·       Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

·       Commitment to public service and advancing equitable access to healthcare and human services throughout the Commonwealth.

About the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services works with many of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents. We support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; older adults; blind, deaf, and hard of hearing residents; those struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness, or co-occurring illness; refugees and immigrants; system-involved youth; survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking; and many more people throughout the Commonwealth.

Our workforce is committed to reducing health disparities, strengthening the social safety net, and increasing access to high-quality, affordable care and services. EOHHS provides access to medical and behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, long-term services and supports, nutritional and financial assistance, and countless other programs that impact residents across Massachusetts.

All told, EOHHS agencies and programs directly serve one in every three Massachusetts residents and touch the lives of every individual across the Commonwealth.

Learn more: EOHHS

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions about this requisition, please contact Employment and Staffing Customer Service at 1-800-510-4122, option 4.

Questions or issues regarding access/login credentials to MassCareers, please contact the Mass HR ESC at 617-979-8500.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and (A) at least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.