General Counsel

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced attorney to serve as General Counsel to provide guidance and counsel to senior leadership and the Commissioner of DMH, while advising the agency on a broad range of legal matters affecting the day-to-day operations. You will lead the provision of all legal services critical to the DMH's mission, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. Your responsibilities extend to advising the Commissioner and senior management on policy initiatives, participating in decision-making processes, and overseeing the drafting of regulations, legislation, and key policy documents. Your role as the principal legal decision-maker and spokesperson within the Department will involve engagement with cross-agency, secretariat, legislative, and judicial forums, solidifying your impact on the legal landscape.

As the head of the Legal Division, you will lead a team of attorneys across Central and Field offices, playing a key role in managing litigation, negotiating settlements, providing legal advice at both the senior management and service delivery levels, and assuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Beyond internal operations, you will represent the DMH in external collaborations, serving as a crucial liaison with entities such as the Governor's Legal Office, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), other State Agencies, the Courts and the Legislature. If you are driven by the intersection of legal acumen and a commitment to public service, this role will give you a unique opportunity to shape the future of mental health services in the Commonwealth.

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

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Commissioner and senior management, contributing to executive decision-making on major policy and operational matters.
• Directly oversee the drafting and implementation of regulations, legislation, policy and litigation related documents, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Manage and supervise the Legal Division, guiding attorneys across Central and Field offices in their support of DMH operations.
• Lead the provision of legal services essential to supporting individuals served by DMH, including civil and forensic commitments, guardianships, risk management, and community support services.
• Manage litigation and legal claims against the Department, collaborating with the Attorney General's office, investigating and settling tort claims, and defending against administrative actions.
• Assure the Department's compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including privacy and security laws and regulations, both directly and through delegated legal division staff.
• Represent the Department in cross-agency, secretariat, and cross-branch activities, engaging in litigation, legislation, and policy development initiatives.
• Respond to legal issues and requests from external parties, including EOHHS, the Governor's Legal Office, other agencies, courts, the Legislature, and the public, providing information, advocacy, and education.
• Identify legal issues and develop strategies to overcome barriers, ensuring the Department operates within a legal and regulatory framework that supports a recovery-focused, person-centered public mental health system.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of state and federal laws, rules and regulations, pertaining to healthcare, behavioral health and human services issues, particularly administrative, health, and privacy law; previous government or public sector management and managing a union workforce is highly desirable.
• Aptitude in analyzing, interpreting, applying facts, rules, policies and decisions while analyzing legal problems and offering legal opinions, with an emphasis on a wide range of issues ranging from treatment and human rights to contract and regulatory matters, employment, privacy, forensic issues, major civil rights and constitutional issues.
• Track record of excellent judgment, integrity, honesty, discretion, and business acumen.
• Strong sense of urgency and commitment to deadlines, attention to detail, and the ability and desire to handle increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in working with multidisciplinary teams; maintaining working relationships with other administrative officials, and regulatory agency staff.
• Familiarity with the principles and practices of organizational behavior including employee relations, staff development and human resource management.
• Collaborative leader who values teamwork, inclusion and embraces diversity as a strategic advantage.
• Strategic thinker who is visionary, innovative, creative, and willing to take appropriate risk.
• Excellent writing, communication, listening, and negotiation skills, inclusive of other’s views.
• Record of managing a team of professional staff, senior level managers including the ability to lead, inspire and empower demonstrating confidence and executive presence.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer Process:

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

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 Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

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!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.