The Special Projects Unit is currently seeking law students for Fall 2024 internship positions. Interns must be enrolled in law school. To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample no later than April 30, 2024. In their cover letters, candidates are encouraged to share any of the lived or professional experiences that draw you towards public defense. We are considering applications on a rolling basis, so we strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed applications as soon as practically possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tricia Muse at pmuse@publiccounsel.net  

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

 Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •  Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Special Projects Unit (SPU) is part of the Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit. This unit assigns cases to criminal post-conviction clients when there have been developments in the law that have a widespread impact on CPCS post-conviction clients and may provide grounds for undoing a conviction, notifies clients and attorneys about these developments and, in some cases, litigates these issues. For more information, please see our webpage at https://www.publiccounsel.net/pc/criminal-post-conviction-and-appeals-unit/

Interns assist the SPU on post-conviction case investigation by reviewing case files and court dockets. They research state and federal constitutional issues relating to current post-conviction litigation. During the Fall 2024 semester interns will also assist in the preparation for an evidentiary hearing by searching and organizing discovery and strategizing about its use at an anticipated hearing. Interns also participate in the preparation of arguments to be presented to the appellate courts (moot) and attend court hearings. They may also field questions from attorneys and others regarding Special Project litigation. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and appellate arguments as well as hearings in the trial court.

Our office is committed to helping to prepare students to be excellent public defenders. All students begin their internship by participating in a training focused on the Massachusetts criminal court system and appellate practice.

Our office is easily accessible via public transportation, so students are not required to have access to a car. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

All students who will have completed their first year of law school by the start of their internship are eligible to apply.

Preferred qualifications:

•  Students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy
• Students with experience working with low-income clients, people of color, immigrants, LGBT people, and other underrepresented groups
• Students who speak a foreign language

RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns work directly with 2 attorneys and our paralegal on the following:

• Case investigation and document review at the court
• Reviewing and organizing post-conviction discovery relevant to current litigation
• Conducting legal research
• Drafting legal memoranda
• Strategizing about legal theories to pursue in current litigation
• Assisting with trainings
• Responding to client inquiries
• Screening of cases for assignment of counsel

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Director of Human Resources Management, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net