The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) Worcester Office of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking applicants for Spring 2026 internship positions.  

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. 

POSITION OVERVIEW  

The Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing involuntary Civil Commitment to mental health facilities, Guardianships, and involuntary medical treatment for mental illness, including the administration of anti-psychotic medications. We have litigators in four staffed offices and a panel of private attorneys. All our attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients.

The Mental Health Litigation Division provides individuals with attorneys for Civil Commitment proceedings in the District Courts and provides attorneys to the Probate and Family Courts for Guardianships and Substituted Judgment proceedings, including cases involving the Validation of Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission and Do Not Resuscitate orders. Civil Commitments are handled by both panel and staff attorneys, while almost all cases in the Probate Court are handled by private panel attorneys.

The Mental Health Litigation Division offers interns a variety of experiences and assignments under the supervision of highly experienced attorneys.

Please note that this internship is unpaid by CPCS. MHLD staff can work with students to receive externship or pro bono credit or outside funding. 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS 

Interested candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.

Preferred candidates will have some or all of the following experience:    

• 2L or 3L law students preferred,
• Valid ID – Required for entrance to DMH Hospitals
• Access to transportation,
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely,
• Law Students who have taken classes in Evidence, Criminal and Constitutional Law, Critical Legal Theory, or Trial Advocacy.
• Law students who speak a foreign language or ASL.
• Law students who have experience with or demonstrated interest in working with individuals with mental illness and or involvement in the criminal court system 

APPLICATION INFORMATION 

Interested applicants should submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (no more than two pages) detailing your interest in the internship, your personal qualities and background, and what draws you to this work, and (3) Writing Sample.  

RESPONSIBILITIES    

• Interns will be asked to shadow several attorneys throughout their internship,
• Visit clients and conduct interviews to obtain relevant information and ascertain the client’s position on their pending petition(s)
• Work with attorneys to prepare cross-examination of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists working at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital and other Worcester psychiatric hospitals and units.
• Work with independent medical experts including psychiatrists, psychologists, social service experts, and other mental health professionals as requested by staff attorneys.
• Review medical records,
• Work with attorneys to prepare motions for funds, motions for in person hearings, direct and cross-examinations and closing arguments,
• Obtain a working understanding of G.L. c. 123 and the requirements for civil commitment,
• Obtain a working understanding of the Worcester District Court commitment proceedings, court-ordered medication proceedings, and the rules of evidence as applied in mental health cases,
• Develop research on race and equity issues in civil commitments and assist in developing a litigation guide for such issues,
• Conduct research into support for novel issues or arguments

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 sdebowhuang@publiccounsel.net