Volunteer attorney hearing officer

The Board of Bar Overseers encourages interested attorneys across the Commonwealth to apply for appointment as a volunteer Hearing Committee member.

Hearing Committees sit in panels of three as fact-finding tribunals in disciplinary proceedings brought against respondent attorneys by the Office of Bar Counsel. Each hearing committee is ad hoc, drawn from our pool of over a hundred hearing officers, and includes two lawyers and one member of the public.

Pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, Hearing Committees hear evidence and submit a report to the BBO with their findings, conclusions of law, and recommendation for disposition.

The Board seeks to maintain a broad-based representation of attorneys and members of the public, and strongly encourages applications from small firm-practitioners, those in public service, and attorneys who are underrepresented in the legal profession or from marginalized communities. The BBO invites applicants to voluntarily provide demographic information to help us evaluate and improve our recruitment and selection practices. Your answers will not affect your application or any decision. Each question includes a "prefer not to answer" option.

We look for lawyers with at least ten years of legal experience, and we welcome applicants from throughout Massachusetts. The term of appointment is three years, renewable once.

Resume and cover letter required.

Questions only: Bernice Addonizio, (617) 728-8703 or hcr@massbbo.org.