The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) Brockton Commitment Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking applicants for Fall 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 or civil commitment to mental hospitals or guardianship which may include the administration of anti-psychotic medications. We provide litigators in four staffed offices and from a panel of private attorneys. Our attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients. We also provide training on mental health issues to attorneys in other CPCS divisions.

The Mental Health Litigation Division seeks law students to work with the Brockton Commitment Unit. This office works primarily with clients housed at Bridgewater State Hospital, representing their interests in a client-centered manner as they face civil commitment to either a Department of Mental Health facility or Bridgewater State Hospital.

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. We understand that commuting to Brockton and Bridgewater State Hospital may pose a barrier to some applicants. We are happy to work with law students and their law school to find transportation funding.

Description

Attorneys in the Brockton Commitment Unit litigate issues pertaining to mental health on a weekly basis, in both Brockton District Court and in Superior Courts throughout the state. For civil commitment, the burden of proof rests on the petitioner; they must show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that our clients (1) have a mental illness, (2) that they pose a risk of harm to others due to that mental illness on one of three bases, and typically (3) that the client requires the strict security of Bridgewater State Hospital and cannot be suitably managed or treated in a Department of Mental Health facility. Each client, each case, provides a new and unique opportunity to litigate each of these aspects of civil commitment.

The Brockton Commitment Unit also handles hearings for court-ordered administration of antipsychotics, a bifurcated hearing that requires insight into antipsychotic medications, side effects of those medications, interactions between medications, and the many factors the court takes into consideration when determining whether a client should be court ordered to take antipsychotic medications. It is a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary endeavor that allows for creative approaches to litigation each week.

Our work further allows for a unique opportunity to efficiently and effectively develop skills to communicate with clients. Many of our clients are facing criminal charges and have been deemed incompetent to stand trial – how do you explain the stance of their criminal case, their potential commitment, and the possibility of being forced to take medication to someone that has been deemed unable to rationally consult with an attorney? Others do not believe they have a mental illness and yet are being held in a hospital, receiving mental health treatment against their will – how do you explain that their treatment team wants to keep them at Bridgewater State Hospital for up to six months? Each client is different in terms of cooperation, understanding, and how they want to approach their case, and it is our job to adapt our work to fit their needs.

Due to the nature of these proceedings, law students will also learn about the rules of evidence, both criminal and civil procedure, and the complicated but fascinating area of mental health law. Our clients face unimaginable barriers based on their race, ethnicity, native language, indigence, and their legal status, while also dealing with symptoms of mental illness, an unfamiliar institutional setting, and issues separate of their commitment in the criminal courts. The insight that co-op students will gain into client-centered representation, the importance of cultural competency, and the civil commitment process will be expansive, and hopefully serve you well in your future endeavors.

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.    

• Law students certified to represent clients per S.J.C. Rule 3:03,
• 2L or 3L law students preferred,
• Valid ID – Required for entrance to Bridgewater State Hospital,
• Completion of the 1L LSSC course – description of the project that they worked on as well as a writing sample,
• 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. 

Preferred qualifications and skills 

• Ability to work in-person at least once a week,
• Attend Brockton District Court sitting at Bridgewater State Hospital each Wednesday,
• Attend Superior Court proceedings as available,
• Ability to attend meetings with clients at Bridgewater State Hospital, Old Colony Correctional Center, and private hospitals in the surrounding area,
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively and in writing,
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to conduct research in complex or novel areas of law, and summarize and present such information in an educational or argumentative capacity,
• A strong desire to work in the field of public interest and with indigent clients in a correctional setting. 

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 Bridgewater State Hospital as well as direct examination of hired experts and clients,
• Review medical records,
• Work with attorneys to prepare motions for funds, in-person hearings, etc.
• Work with attorneys to prepare closing arguments,
• Obtain a working understanding of G.L. c. 123 and the requirements for civil commitment,
• Obtain a working understanding of the Brockton 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,
• Assist with direct client representation including client meetings at mental health facilities, reviewing medical records, preparing for trials by drafting direct and cross examinations & arguments, engaging in legal research.

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