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 IV - Litigation

The Law Department will consider applicants for employment with fewer years of legal practice than that required below. Such applicants will be considered at the appropriate grade and salary level given their legal experience.

Overview:

The City of Boston Law Department provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments regarding their official capacities within 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 (ACC IV) to represent the City, Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, and Boston Public Schools before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Reports directly to the First Assistant Corporation Counsel for Litigation. The ACC IV will perform legal research, prepare briefings, represent the City and City departments in federal and state court and administrative proceedings, and collaborate with other members of the Law Department on related work.

Responsibilities:

Mentors attorneys (ACC I, II, III) in the conduct of their litigation.
Responsible for managing a caseload and representing the City, Boston Fire Department (BFD), Boston Police Department (BPD), and Boston Public Schools (BPS) in state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies, as assigned.
Represents the City in matters including: personal injury and other tort cases; employment discrimination cases; civil rights claims; contract disputes; and City trust, bankruptcy, and receivership cases.
Responsible for the preparation, strategy, briefing, and argument of jury and non-jury trials and hearings in state and federal courts, both at the trial and appellate levels.
Guides and advises the City, BFD, BPD, and BPS on a variety of matters involving employment, administrative, and constitutional law, including but not limited to: policy matters, public records law, state and federal student confidentiality laws, and state conflict of interest laws.
Conducts presentations locally and nationally.
Performs related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate required.
At least six to fourteen (6-14) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or within a government agency.
Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no disciplinary record.
Supervisory legal experience required.
Highly motivated self-starter.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
Strong quantitative, analytical, and project management skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Westlaw, and Social Law Library.
Demonstrated experience in real estate law, municipal finance law, and bankruptcy law preferred.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-14

Salary Range: 134,769.17 - 168,566.82

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.

Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel III - Treasury

The Senior ACC in this position will work primarily with the City's Treasury Department, advising the department and representing the City in bankruptcy proceedings, among other responsibilities. The Senior ACC will report to the Law Department's Director of Tax Title.

Overview:

The City of Boston seeks a Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel (“ACC”) to represent the City, its officials, and its departments. The Senior ACC 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.
At least five plus (5+) 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.