The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking attorneys to represent indigent clients in the District and Superior Courts in its Western Massachusetts offices in Holyoke, Northampton, Pittsfield, and Springfield.  The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and zealous advocacy to the indigent community.

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 of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

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, family regulation, 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.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

DIVISION OVERVIEW

The Public Defender Division’s mission is to ensure that criminal defendants are given the fundamental protection of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Constitution. We believe that every defendant should not only receive zealous advocacy but respect and dignity as they deal with the potential loss of their liberty.

The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and zealous advocacy to the indigent community. 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 public policy that in turn safeguards the rights of all.

OFFICE OVERVIEWS

We are seeking attorneys to work in our four Western Massachusetts offices: Holyoke, Northampton, Pittsfield, and Springfield.  All of our offices are robust defender teams that include attorneys, social services advocates, investigators, and administrative support staff.  Team members work diligently to help and support our clients to achieve their legal and life goals.  Our offices have a strong culture of teamwork and strongly believe in community engagement and partnership to assist clients.

Holyoke Office

With the largest per capita population of Puerto Ricans in any city outside of Puerto Rico itself, Holyoke is a small but diverse city with a rich cultural history located in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. This exciting office has a mix of experienced public defenders and new voices shaping the local vision. The staff will provide zealous advocacy in the criminal district courts of Holyoke, Chicopee, and Palmer as well as the Hampden Superior Court.

Northampton Office

The Northampton PDD Office provides public defense services for Hampshire and Franklin Counties.  The city of Northampton provides a sophisticated rural lifestyle combined with the cultural, artistic, academic, and culinary amenities of a big city.  It offers more restaurants, eclectic shops, galleries, theaters, and performance venues than most urban centers ten times its size.   You will also find two rivers, mountain views, landscaped parks, and meadow walks.  It provides a unique and charming combination of natural and cultural activities that should not be missed. 

Pittsfield Office

Situated within the heart of the Berkshires in Massachusetts, Pittsfield offers a laidback city atmosphere inspired by its local roots. The Berkshires are a special place, filled with artists, artisans, and purveyors who thrive on originality. Deep, historic roots can be traced to this region, and yet it’s laced with a refreshingly modern vibe in its dining, culture, and design.

All of this is within the backdrop of the Berkshires, the mountains of western Massachusetts with outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, viewing spectacular Fall foliage, and renowned annual festivals including the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Springfield Office

Though one of the largest offices in the state, Springfield PDD is a close-knit office with a strong culture of teamwork and cooperation.  Springfield is situated in the scenic Pioneer Valley with access to hiking, water sports, and a variety of outdoor activities.  Further, Springfield is home to wide range of activities and attractions including the Dr. Seuss museum, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the MGM Springfield Casino. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Public Defender Division offices provide legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts.  Public Defenders begin their work by representing clients who are charged with criminal offenses within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, including misdemeanors and felonies, see G.L. c.218, § 26, and some serious sexual offenses, and occasionally handle initial commitment proceedings under G.L. c.123, §§ 12(e), 35. After gaining experience on cases within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, it is expected that Public Defenders will represent clients in the Superior Courts consistent with our unification guidelines and occasionally represent clients on interlocutory appeals, civil commitments, and certain collateral matters as permitted by a supervisor.  It is also expected that Public Defenders, as they gain experience, will act as informal mentors and advisors to other staff attorneys in the office. 

Attorneys of all experience levels are encouraged to apply to these positions.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• A trial attorney must be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population and must be eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as the member of the bar of another jurisdiction eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04;
• Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

Candidates should possess the following attributes for the position of Trial Attorney:

•  Spanish-speaking abilities and past experience working with the Latinx community preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in criminal cases;
• Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
• Commitment to our organizational values;
• Commitment to continuing legal training;
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; and,
• Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively.

To apply, please submit a resume and a personal mission statement of no more than two pages detailing your interest in the position, your personal qualities, background, and skills, and what you hope to achieve in this work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of a Trial Attorney include, but are not limited to:

• Interviewing clients;
• Arraignment and bail advocacy;
• Legal research and writing;
• Pretrial investigation including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence;
• Preparing and arguing pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda; 
• Dispositional investigations and advocacy;
• Jury and bench trials of criminal cases;
• Representation of clients in interlocutory proceedings;
• Where appropriate, working collaboratively with private attorneys on cases assigned through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

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 Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net