Entry Level Lawyer Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Revenue Services (DRS), has multiple exciting opportunities for Tax Attorney 1 in the Appellate Subdivision of the Litigation Division.
What we can offer you

• Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Position highlights
The Tax Attorney 1 is an entry level position at DRS, located in the Appellate Subdivision of the Litigation Division. This is a unique position for a candidate interested in administrative law and tax law. As a Tax Attorney 1 you will be responsible for:

• Reviewing protests, which review will include making findings of fact, analyzing and evaluating all arguments raised by the taxpayers;
• Gathering all pertinent documentation, and conducting all necessary research, and for rendering final determinations in connection to such protests;
• Providing legal advice and guidance to the staff in the DRS Appellate Division in connection with the Department's administrative review process.

This position will work under the direction of, and have an opportunity to learn from, a State Program Manager, Appellate Subdivision Attorney, the Department's Tax Litigation Director, and the Department's First Assistant Commissioner & General Counsel. You will be exposed to all aspects of Connecticut tax law and associated administrative law across all 40+ of Connecticut's state taxes.
This is a full-time position, 9:00AM-5:30PM, Monday-Friday, located at our office in Hartford.
About us
The Appellate Subdivision is part of the Department's Litigation Division and is responsible for reviewing protests filed by taxpayers. Protests allow taxpayers who disagree with decisions of the Department (generally, decisions to assess a taxpayer or decisions to deny a claim for refund) to receive additional administrative review of these decisions. Upon issuance of a final determination by the Appellate Subdivision, taxpayers have the ability to seek review of the DRS' actions by filing an appeal to the Tax Session of the Connecticut Superior Court. As such, the Appellate Subdivision is the first stage of tax litigation in the State of Connecticut.
Selection Plan
All applicants, including rehires and transfers, applying for a position of employment with DRS must:

1. Complete a written statement disclosing whether such applicant has ever been convicted of a crime or whether criminal charges are pending against such applicant. If any charges are pending, the statement must identify the charges and the court in which such charges are pending.
2. Complete and sign an "Authorization to Conduct Criminal History Record Check".
3. Be fingerprinted and submit to a background check including a citizenship/residency check to validate eligibility to legally work in the United States.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Mackenzie Robinson at Mackenzie.Robinson@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Revenue Services this class is accountable for performing duties on legal and litigation matters including assisting in preparing and representing the Commissioner before the state's tax court, providing legal advice to department administrators, providing information on legal matters to members of the public and drafting and issuing rulings and determinations involving a wide range of legal and tax matters.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• As a legal practitioner, researches legal issues;
• Assists in performing and eventually performs more complex legal work;
• Prepares and represents the Commissioner in litigated tax appeals;
• Issues and responds to discovery;
• Drafts and responds to pleadings;
• Drafts, responds to and argues various motions;
• Drafts memoranda of law;
• Prepares witnesses, conducts trials and drafts closing documents;
• Prepares rulings and opinions;
• Assists in drafting of proposed regulations and legislation;
• May act independently in areas assigned;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of basic law and legal process, legal principles and practices and administrative law;
• Knowledge of state statutes and case law pertaining to state taxes;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to analyze and draft legal documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A degree from an accredited law school.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in tax law either through course work, internship, volunteering, or work experience.
• Experience conducting complex legal research.
• Experience in drafting legal briefs and memoranda.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements for admission under Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book must become admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.