Law

We provide comprehensive legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments, advising them on their official roles in city government through legal opinions and contract reviews, and represent and defend the city's interests in all legal matters.

We do not represent the general public.

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Keep in Mind:

For questions in regards to tax title payments, tax title balances, or inquiries into the application of previous tax payments, please contact the Collector-Treasurer’s Office at 617-635-4131 or collecting@boston.gov. Please note: All requests for Instruments of Tax Title Redemption should be directed to the Collector-Treasurer’s Office.

submitting documents

We ask that those seeking to contact or submit documents to the Claims Division and Tax Title Division of the Law Department please do so by mail, email, fax, or telephone only. If you are submitting a new claim, you must do so in hard-copy, preferably by mail. For information on how to file a claim please click here. If you are submitting documents on an existing claim, you may do so by email or fax.

If you must submit a document in person, an appointment is required.

Email for tax title and claims: law@boston.gov
Phone: 617-635-4034
Fax: 617-635-3199

Contact

617-635-4034
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 615

Boston, MA 02201
United States
Office hours

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Career Opportunities

Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel III - Public Facilities Department

Overview:

This position is for the Legal Advisor's Office to the Public Facilities Department and Commission. To learn more about this role, please see the following link: PFD/PFC Senior ACC III

The City of Boston seeks a Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel III (“ACC”) to represent the City, its officials, and its departments. The Senior ACC III will advise City leaders on a variety of municipal law matters; represent the City in civil actions, arbitrations, administrative hearings, mediations, and negotiations; investigate claims and complaints by or against the City and recommend actions to be taken; draft ordinances; conduct negotiations with third parties; and perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:

Mentors attorneys (ACC I, II) in the conduct of their litigation, contract review, contract negotiation, departmental advising, and related work.
Manages a caseload and represents the City of Boston in all cases as assigned, in state and federal court, administrative proceedings, and other venues.
Provides representation in matters which may include, but are not limited to: personal injury and other torts, employment discrimination, civil rights claims, contract disputes, special education litigation, licensing appeals, and employee and student discipline appeals.
Advises the City on myriad issues impacting government entities, including policy matters, procurement, open meeting laws, public records law, state and federal student confidentiality laws, and state conflict of interest laws.
Performs legal research, writes legal opinions, and reviews and assists in the drafting of contracts, memoranda, ordinances, and other documents.
Performs specialized municipal law functions, including research, analysis, advising, and litigation in areas such as workers’ compensation, tax lien foreclosures, public construction, public education, and others.
Performs related work as directed.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate.
Four plus (4+) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or within a government agency.
Licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Supervisory legal experience preferred.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
Excellent, clear, and effective writing and organizational skills.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Highly motivated self-starter.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Westlaw, and Social Law Library.
Reports directly to a First Assistant Corporation Counsel or Legal Advisor.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-13

Salary Range: 126,972.96-159,190.89

Hours per week: 35

Apply for this job

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category.

Assistant Corporation Counsel II - Boston Police Department

This Assistant Corporation Counsel ("ACC") will be a member of the Office of Legal Advisor for the Boston Police Department, reporting to the BPD Legal Advisor. The ACC will conduct a wide variety of legal work critical to the mission of BPD, including client advising, transactional work, and litigation.

Overview:

The City of Boston seeks an Assistant Corporation Counsel (“ACC II”) to represent the City, its officials, and its departments. The ACC II will advise City leaders on a variety of municipal law matters; represent the City in civil actions, arbitrations, administrative hearings, mediations, and negotiations; investigate claims and complaints by or against the City and recommend actions to be taken; draft ordinances; conduct negotiations with third parties; and perform other duties as assigned. The ACC II will be expected to perform high-quality work on increasingly complex matters supported by the supervision of Senior ACCs and the relevant Law Department Legal Advisor.

Responsibilities:

Manages a caseload and represents the City of Boston in all cases as assigned, in state and federal court, administrative proceedings, and other venues, including taking an active role as co-counsel in complex, sensitive matters and independently leading other matters.
Provides representation in matters which may include, but are not limited to: personal injury and other torts, employment discrimination, civil rights claims, contract disputes, special education litigation, licensing appeals, and employee and student discipline appeals.
Advises the City on myriad issues impacting government entities, including policy matters, procurement, open meeting laws, public records law, state and federal student confidentiality laws, and state conflict of interest laws, including through effective identification, analysis, and application of legal issues.
Participates in Law Department engagement with City departments on increasingly complicated matters requiring the application of legal principles to policy and operational challenges.
Performs legal research, writes legal opinions, and reviews and assists in the drafting of contracts, memoranda, ordinances, and other documents, executing all work efficiently with progressively less need for supervision.
Performs specialized municipal law functions, including research, analysis, advising, and litigation in areas such as workers’ compensation, tax lien foreclosures, public construction, public education, and others.
Supports other attorneys as appropriate given institutional knowledge or subject matter expertise.
Performs related work as directed.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Juris Doctor.
At least three (3) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or within a government agency.
Licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
Excellent, clear, and effective writing and organizational skills.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Highly motivated self-starter.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Westlaw, and Social Law Library.
Reports directly to a Legal Advisor.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Unions/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-12
Salary range: 114,371.63-153,024.95
Hours per week: 35

Apply for the job

Assistant Corporation Counsel I - Boston Police Department

Overview

The City of Boston Law Department provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments regarding their official capacities within the City government. Our office has been in continuous existence for 180 years and under the sole authority of the Corporation Counsel for 125 years. The Corporation Counsel has supervisory authority over all City attorneys and legal affairs and is responsible for all litigation to which the City of Boston is a party.

The City of Boston seeks an Assistant Corporation Counsel to represent the City, Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, and Boston Public Schools before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. The incumbent will perform legal research, draft and review ordinances, and prepare opinions on legal issues in civil actions, arbitrations, administrative hearings, mediations, and other negotiations.

Responsibilities

Provides in-house counsel representation and legal support to the City, Boston Fire Department (BFD), Boston Public Schools (BPS), and Boston Police Department (BPD).
Responsible for managing a caseload and representing the City, BPS, BPD, and BFD in all cases as assigned.
Conduct all court proceedings on behalf of the City, BPS, BPD, and BFD.
Responsible for the preparation, arraignments, and jury and non-jury trials and hearings in state and federal courts, both at the trial and appellate levels.
Review and draft ordinances.
Perform legal research and render opinions to City officials.
Responsible for ordinance drafting, litigation, advice on municipal law matters, negotiation, procurement, public records law, and other assignments.
Responds promptly and appropriately to requests for assistance on additional projects.
Receptive to new ideas and responsive to changing conditions and departmental needs.
Performs related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

Juris Doctor required.
Up to two (2) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or governmental legal office.
Licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Highly motivated self-starter.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Westlaw, and Social Law Library.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-9

Salary: $90,974.15 - $128,696.83 Annually

Hours per week: 35

Apply Here

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.

Assistant Corporation Counsel I - Inspectional Services Department

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Responsibilities

Provides in-house counsel representation and legal support to the City, Boston Fire Department (BFD), Boston Public Schools (BPS), and Boston Police Department (BPD).
Responsible for managing a caseload and representing the City, BPS, BPD, and BFD in all cases as assigned.
Conduct all court proceedings on behalf of the City, BPS, BPD, and BFD.
Responsible for the preparation, arraignments, and jury and non-jury trials and hearings in state and federal courts, both at the trial and appellate levels.
Review and draft ordinances.
Perform legal research and render opinions to City officials.
Responsible for ordinance drafting, litigation, advice on municipal law matters, negotiation, procurement, public records law, and other assignments.
Responds promptly and appropriately to requests for assistance on additional projects.
Receptive to new ideas and responsive to changing conditions and departmental needs.
Performs related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

Juris Doctor required.
Up to two (2) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or governmental legal office.
Licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Highly motivated self-starter.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Westlaw, and Social Law Library.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-9

Salary: $90,974.15 - $128,696.83 Annually

Hours per week: 35

Apply Here

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.