UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL WITH CPCS: PRIVATE PANEL ATTORNEY OPPORTUNITIES

ABOUT US 

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ public defender agency, committed to advancing justice and equity by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of financial means, have access to dedicated and passionate legal representation in all matters where the law requires the appointment of counsel. Our mission is that 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 work spans criminal defense, youth defense, mental health litigation, family regulation, parole, sexually dangerous persons cases, sex offender registry cases, along with related appeals and post-conviction matters. 

To fulfill this mission, in addition to staff, CPCS contracts with certified private attorneys through our Private Attorney Panels. This opportunity is for attorneys seeking to work as Private Panel Attorneys, independently contracted with CPCS, rather than as CPCS (Employee) Staff Attorneys.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR 

We seek passionate attorneys licensed to practice in Massachusetts who are committed to championing the equitable and dignified treatment of all persons and protecting the rights of individuals from government interference. Each panel has specific training and certification requirements, ensuring our Private Panel Attorneys are prepared to provide top-tier representation with the support of our nationally recognized training programs, experienced mentors, and trial resources.

WHY JOIN US? 

As a CPCS Private Attorney, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the flexibility of being your own boss, while making a meaningful impact in these key practice areas:

Private Counsel Division (PCD) – Criminal Defense

The Private Counsel Division of CPCS delivers legal services to approximately 80 % of adult indigent clients in Massachusetts through assigned private attorneys in criminal defense cases in the district and superior courts, appeals & post-conviction matters, parole, and in civil commitments and administrative registration cases for persons convicted of sex offenses

Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) – Family Regulation 

Lawyers in CPCS’s Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) represent children and parents in cases, at trial and on appeal, in which the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removes or seeks to remove children from their homes because of claims of neglect or abuse.  These cases are called care and protection (C&P) cases or termination of parental rights cases.  CAFL also provides lawyers to children and parents in child requiring assistance (CRA) cases.  Some CRA cases involve parents asking the Juvenile Court for help with challenges at home; others involve children who are truant from school or who run away from home.  We also represent children and parents in contested guardianship cases.  We have both a Trial Panel of Private Attorneys and an Appellate Panel.

Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) – Youth Defense 

The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) ensures that every child charged with a crime in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation that incorporates a Youth Development Approach, resulting in fair treatment in court.  Working conjunctively as a team, YAD staff attorneys, juvenile defense private panel, social workers, and support staff provide comprehensive services; advocating in the courts, schools, and communities to develop strategies for our clients to achieve long-term success by: Providing legal advocacy in court and at school; advocating for alternatives to detention and confinement; assessing the needs and strengths of clients; using trauma-informed and Positive Youth Development models to create holistic service plans; building active and productive community partnerships to ensure seamless access to needed services; supporting youth throughout the court process and beyond; and connecting youth to a network of positive and supportive adults and programs.

YAD provides leadership, training, support, and oversight to a diverse and collaborative juvenile defense bar across the state. Through individual representation and systemic advocacy, YAD also partners with other state agencies, as well as community organizations and local agencies, to work toward creating safer and healthier communities. YAD is continuously active in taking a leading role in the fight against racial and ethnic disparities in Massachusetts’ educational and juvenile justice systems. In juvenile murder cases, lawyer assignments are usually made from a list of attorneys skilled in representing juvenile murder defendants.  YAD has both a Trial Panel of Private Attorneys as well as an Appellate Panel.

Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) – Mental Health and Guardianships 

The Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing civil commitment to hospitals, guardianship and involuntary treatment including the administration of anti-psychotic medications. We do this through four staffed offices and a panel of private attorneys. All of our attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients.  MHLD has both a Trial Panel of Private Attorneys as well as an Appellate Panel. 

- Must be an attorney in good standing, licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

- Additionally: Each panel and practice area has its own qualifications, and additional CPCS certification and training requirements may apply depending on the area of practice.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? 

For information on certification, training, and the application process for all Panels, visit https://www.publiccounsel.net/ppa/

HOW TO APPLY 

Once you have reviewed the requirements for certification and have decided where you want to apply, you may apply for certification to any panel by clicking this link https://wkf.ms/47t6sFI