What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Town Counsel position at Town of Andover?
A central purpose of the position is to strengthen coordination between Town and School operations by providing consistent, practical legal guidance across both organizations. The Assistant Town Counsel handles a broad range of municipal, litigation, land use, employment, education, governance, and administrative matters and helps ensure that Town and School officials have timely access to legal counsel.
Advises Town officials, departments, boards, and commissions on a broad range of municipal legal matters. Provides practical legal advice regarding contracts, policies, regulatory requirements, municipal operations, and administrative decision-making. Represents the Town in litigation and administrative proceedings, including zoning and special permit appeals, employment matters, and other municipal disputes. Appears before courts, administrative agencies, boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies on behalf of the Town. Assists with land use and real estate matters, including zoning, easements, property transactions, agreements, and related legal instruments. Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, policies, legal opinions, settlement agreements, and other legal documents. Advises Town and School officials regarding the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, conflict-of-interest requirements, and other municipal governance obligations. Shares responsibility for the Town Counsel’s Office workflow and provides legal coverage when multiple departments, boards, or proceedings require simultaneous representation.
Serves as a principal legal resource to the Superintendent, School Committee, School Department leadership, and Human Resources. Advises on public education law, including matters arising under Chapter 71 and other applicable state and federal laws. Provides counsel concerning school governance, policy development, employment and labor matters, student-related issues, and special education. Attends School Committee meetings as needed and provides timely legal guidance regarding matters arising during public proceedings. Represents or assists in representing the School Department in litigation, administrative proceedings, unemployment matters, negotiations, and other disputes. Reviews and drafts School Department contracts, policies, agreements, legal notices, and other documents. Supports consistent and legally compliant practices for responding to public records requests and other regulatory obligations. Helps Town and School leaders evaluate not only what the law requires, but how legal requirements should be applied thoughtfully and practically and consistently within a public-sector environment.
Advises, represents, and advocates for the legal interests of the Town and School Department. Develops strong working relationships with Town and School officials while maintaining sound professional judgment and appropriate legal independence. Identifies legal risks and recommends practical, operationally workable solutions. Coordinates with outside counsel when specialized expertise or additional litigation support is required. Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting municipal government and public education. Performs other related legal duties as assigned by the Town Counsel.
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Admission to and good standing with the Massachusetts Bar. Five to seven years of progressively responsible legal experience. Experience handling litigation and representing clients before courts or administrative agencies. Demonstrated ability to advise clients across a broad range of legal and operational issues. Ability to attend evening meetings and proceedings as required.
Experience advising a municipality, public school district, school committee, superintendent, or comparable public-sector client. Knowledge of Massachusetts municipal and public education law, including school governance, Chapter 71, the Open Meeting Law, and Public Records Law. Experience with land use, zoning, and municipal real estate matters, including drafting easements and real estate agreements. Experience drafting and reviewing municipal contracts, policies, and legal opinions. Public-sector labor and employment experience.
Broad knowledge of Massachusetts municipal law and public-sector legal practice. Ability to manage a varied caseload involving advisory work, litigation, contracts, land use, employment, and education law. Strong courtroom, administrative advocacy, legal research, writing, negotiation, and counseling skills. Sound judgment and the ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, practical advice. Ability to provide responsive legal support in time-sensitive and occasionally high-pressure circumstances. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with elected and appointed officials, department heads, school leaders, employees, outside counsel, and members of the public. Ability to balance competing priorities and shift effectively between Town and School Department matters. Commitment to collaboration, consistency, public service, and high professional and ethical standards.
Salary : $115,000 - $140,000