Deputy General Counsel

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to serve in a highly impactful leadership role within the Office of the General Counsel. This position offers the opportunity to engage in meaningful legal work that directly supports the health, safety, and well-being of communities across the Commonwealth. As part of an organization grounded in equity, access, and public trust, this role sits at the intersection of law, public policy, and healthcare, providing strategic legal guidance to key program areas including the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition (BFHN) and the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP).

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and program staff, offering clear, thoughtful legal counsel on a wide range of complex matters, including regulatory compliance, privacy, public records, open meeting requirements, and conflict of interest laws. You will play an essential role in shaping agency policy, supporting program implementation, and ensuring that all operations align with applicable legal frameworks. This position also offers the opportunity to lead legal strategy in dispute resolution, represent the agency in administrative and court proceedings, and collaborate with cross-agency partners to advance public health initiatives. Ideal candidates will bring strong legal judgment, the ability to navigate complex and highly regulated environments, and a genuine commitment to public service and advancing health equity across diverse communities.

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

• Provide legal counsel to agency staff and leadership by interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and policies governing public health operations.
• Advise on complex legal and operational matters, supporting decision-making and ensuring alignment with applicable legal mandates and agency priorities.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, policies, regulations, and other legal documents to ensure compliance and support effective program implementation.
• Represent the agency in administrative hearings, dispute resolution, and litigation by developing legal strategy, managing discovery, and presenting evidence and arguments.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to assess risks, evaluate case merits, and recommend appropriate courses of action, including settlement or litigation.
• Lead or support mediation and negotiation efforts to resolve disputes efficiently, mitigate risk, and avoid unnecessary litigation.
• Manage and prioritize a diverse caseload and legal assignments to ensure timely and effective resolution aligned with agency goals.
• Draft comprehensive legal memoranda, opinions, decisions, and legislative materials to inform internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners, including other agencies, to address legal issues and support program and policy development.
• Provide guidance on privacy, confidentiality, and data protection requirements, ensuring appropriate safeguards and coordination with the Privacy and Data Access Office.
• Educate and advise staff on legal requirements, ethical standards, and agency policies, promoting compliance and informed decision-making.
• Contribute to a professional, inclusive, and respectful work environment while supporting ongoing professional development and adherence to standards of legal practice.

Required Qualifications :

• Demonstrated knowledge of the theory, principles and practice of law.
• Capacity to educate agency staff on the laws, rules and policies governing agency operations.
• Ability to provide legal advice to agency staff when resolving problems and determining appropriate actions.
• Experience reviewing contracts to ensure that all agency activities comply with applicable laws.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Active membership in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar.
• Significant legal experience, preferably within public health, healthcare, government, or a highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on complex legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
• Strong knowledge of Massachusetts laws, including public records law, open meeting law, conflict of interest law, and administrative law.
• Experience handling administrative hearings, litigation, or dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation.
• Proven ability to draft and review a wide range of legal documents, including contracts, regulations, policies, and formal legal opinions.
• Experience developing or influencing policy and regulatory frameworks within a public sector or healthcare setting.
• Strong understanding of privacy and confidentiality requirements, including experience working with sensitive or protected data.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to manage complex legal issues effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and agencies, with strong communication skills and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and public service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

DPH Mission and Vision:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Learn more:

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

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

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

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

Qualifications

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% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Counsel II

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street

Job : Legal Services

Agency : Department of Public Health

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Apr 21, 2026, 10:51:10 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 90,276.16 - 131,704.30 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Stacy Hart/ [email protected] - 8572741120

Bargaining Unit : 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes