Deputy General Counsel

Deputy General Counsel

The Deputy General Counsel (DGC) position will provide oversight and direction to ensure the agency is adhering to applicable laws, regulations and/or policies. The DGC will report to the General Counsel (GC) and, in collaboration with the GC, will provide oversight and supervision to staff within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), including but not limited to attorneys, hearing examiners, and program coordinators, as well as the staff of the Life Sentence Unit. The OGC serves as the legal advisor to the Parole Board providing legal advice and guidance on all matters which affect the agency. The OGC represents the Parole Board in all litigation matters affecting the agency in the state's trial courts and represents the agency in labor and employment matters. It further develops agency regulations and policies and monitors and drafts parole-related legislation as well as contracts and memoranda of understanding. The OGC responds to discovery requests and public records requests, as well as reviews life sentence decisions, processes and reviews termination petitions, reviews requests for reasonable accommodations and makes any necessary referrals consistent with its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The OGC also thoroughly reviews and processes petitions for executive clemency and sends recommendations from the Advisory Board of Pardons to the Governor's Office. In order to assist in carrying out the duties of the OGC, the DGC will often confer with members of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Attorney General's Office, District Attorneys' Offices, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the courts, the media, incarcerated individuals, and the public. The DGC will not only supervise and provide guidance to OGC and Life Sentence Unit staff but will also carry their own caseload including civil litigation matters. The DGC will also respond to union grievances, subpoenas, and inquiries from other agencies. The DGC will work to resolve any conflicts so as to ensure efficient operations including reviewing and updating policies and procedures. The DGC will be responsible for ensuring that the agency abides by the necessary deadlines set by statute, regulation, and policy with a particular emphasis on life sentence matters. The DGC will also serve as the primary liaison for all attorneys and/or third-party individuals relative to matters pertaining to Life Sentence Hearings. The DGC will perform other related duties, as assigned by the GC. The DGC will be familiar with the theories, principals, and practices of parole including the applicable statutes and the Parole Board's regulations and policies. Additionally, the DGC will have knowledge of the Commonwealth's laws, familiarization with the court system, particularly civil litigation, and public records law, knowledge of the CORI laws and their applicability to discovery and public records requests, knowledge of employment law including collective bargaining and labor law. The DGC will have the ability to anticipate difficult personnel situations and resolve conflicts effectively, the ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with others while providing management, guidance, and oversight, the ability to exercise sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively and lead multiple project teams simultaneously.