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The Finance Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking an Accounting Manager who will be responsible for the comprehensive oversight and implementation of Agency accounting policies and procedures. This position will report to the Finance Director.
AGENCY OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state Agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal services to indigent persons in criminal and civil matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel for any person who cannot afford to retain counsel. The Agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youth offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction cases related to those matters.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Accounting Manager supports the Finance unit working directly for the Finance Director.
The Accounting Manager is responsible for the comprehensive oversight and implementation of Agency accounting policies and procedures. They will ensure compliance with the relevant requirements and guidelines of the office of the State Comptroller (CTR), the Operational Services Division (OSD), Administration and Finance, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. This role includes managing the following activities: employee reimbursements, vendor management, contracts, encumbrance management, trust and grant fund management, accounts receivable, payroll related accounting activities, general accounting and other special projects as assigned.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking applicants for an Attorney in Charge of the Pittsfield Office of the Childrena and Family Law Division. The Attorneys in Charge manage CAFL offices and represent individual clients. They will also play a leadership role in CPCS’s efforts to provide high-quality representation to children and indigent parents in all CAFL cases.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
CAFL provides legal representation and advocacy throughout Massachusetts to children and indigent parents in care and protection, child requiring assistance, termination of parental rights, and guardianship-of-a-minor cases. The Attorneys in Charge manage CAFL offices and represent individual clients. They will also play a leadership role in CPCS’s efforts to provide high-quality representation to children and indigent parents in all CAFL cases.
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The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for civil commitment cases including trials and a limited number of appellate cases for its Brockton Commitment Unit. This office is responsible for civil commitments filed in the Brockton District Court for individuals detained at the Department of Corrections’ Bridgewater State Hospital.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) is Massachusetts’ public defender agency providing legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. The Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing civil commitment to mental hospitals, guardianships and involuntary treatment including the administration of antipsychotic medications. Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients.
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for civil commitment cases including trials and a limited number of appellate cases for its Brockton Commitment Unit. This office is responsible for civil commitments filed in the Brockton District Court for individuals detained at the Department of Corrections’ Bridgewater State Hospital.
Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys provide zealous representation in mental health cases, primarily to indigent persons in proceedings seeking the initial commitment to, continued confinement at, or authorization to treat by, psychiatric facilities operated by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health (DMH) and private psychiatric facilities licensed by DMH. Attorneys will appear primarily in District and Municipal Court sessions conducted at facilities for which the Unit is responsible or in Superior Court divisions within the county in which the facilities are located, but may be required to represent clients in proceedings emanating from other facilities and conducted in other courts of the Commonwealth. Trial Attorneys may also represent clients in appeals to the Appellate Divisions of the District and Municipal Courts.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, seeks attorneys to represent children and parents in child welfare cases. CPCS provides legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) provides legal representation to children and indigent parents in child welfare matters, including care and protection (C&P) proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, actions to terminate parental rights, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is a party or where the court is considering granting custody to DCF.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
CAFL’s legal advocacy plays a critical role in cases that affect families. For a parent involved in a C&P case, having a skilled CAFL lawyer may mean the difference between the family’s reunification and the termination of parental rights – the “death penalty of family law.” For a teenager who is the subject of a truancy CRA case, CAFL’s advocacy may secure the special education services that enable the client to succeed in school and avoid being placed in a foster home. For siblings looking for stability after the court has freed them for adoption, a CAFL attorney will fight to ensure that they are provided a permanent home – one that allows them to stay together.
New Trial Attorneys in the CAFL Offices begin their CPCS career with a nationally recognized, comprehensive, skills-based training course to ensure they are ready to represent their clients to their full capabilities. Continuing legal education programs for new and experienced Trial Attorneys are held periodically to ensure that our Trial Attorneys are up to date on the law and have the skills necessary to provide zealous representation to their clients.
The Children and Family Law Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide child welfare representation. Attorneys interested in applying for these positions are invited to submit an application, as further described below.
We will be prioritizing recruiting and hiring in our Springfield, Northampton/Amherst, and Pittsfield Offices.
Positions will be filled as our budget allows. This posting does not guarantee that we will be filling Trial Attorney positions.
These positions have an expected start date in late August/early September 2019.
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The Public Defender Division of CPCS is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation in various offices throughout the Commonwealth. The 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.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) is Massachusetts’ public defender agency providing legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. 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.
New Trial Attorneys in the Public Defender Division Offices begin their CPCS career with a nationally recognized, comprehensive, skills-based training course to ensure they are ready to represent their clients to their full capabilities. Continuing legal education programs for new and experienced Trial Attorneys are held periodically to guarantee our Trial Attorneys are up to date on the law and have the skills necessary to provide zealous representation to their clients.
The Public Defender Division of CPCS is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation in various offices throughout the Commonwealth. The 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 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.
Positions will be filled as our FY19 & FY20 budgets allow. This posting does not guarantee that we will be filling Trial Attorney positions.
The expected staffing needs for Public Defender Division offices are greatest in central, western, and southeastern Massachusetts and we will be concentrating our recruitment and hiring for those regions.
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The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for civil commitment cases including trials and a limited number of appellate cases for its Roxbury Commitment Unit. This office is responsible for civil commitments filed in the Suffolk County for individuals facing commitments to McLean Hospital, Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, & Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) is Massachusetts’ public defender agency providing legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. The Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing civil commitment to mental hospitals, guardianships and involuntary treatment including the administration of antipsychotic medications. Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients.
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for civil commitment cases including trials and a limited number of appellate cases for its Roxbury Commitment Unit. This office is responsible for civil commitments filed in the Suffolk County for individuals facing commitments to McLean Hospital, Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, & Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center.
Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys provide zealous representation in mental health cases, primarily to indigent persons in proceedings seeking the initial commitment to, continued confinement at, or authorization to treat by, psychiatric facilities operated by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health (DMH) and private psychiatric facilities licensed by DMH. Attorneys will appear primarily in District and Municipal Court sessions conducted at facilities for which the Unit is responsible or in Superior Court divisions within the county in which the facilities are located, but may be required to represent clients in proceedings emanating from other facilities and conducted in other courts of the Commonwealth. Trial Attorneys may also represent clients in appeals to the Appellate Divisions of the District and Municipal Courts.
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CPCS is seeking applications for Training Director of the Criminal Defense Training Unit. The Criminal Defense Training Unit is part of the CPCS Training Department which provides high quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
Position Overview
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal services to indigent persons in criminal and civil matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel for any person who cannot afford to retain counsel. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youth offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction cases related to those matters. CPCS is an equal opportunity employer.
The CPCS Training Department provides high quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel. The Training Department, led by the Training Chief, includes four practice area Training Units - Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy and Mental Health Litigation – all of which are overseen by individual Training Directors. CPCS enjoys a well-deserved national reputation for its skills based training. In addition to providing substantive and skills training to attorneys, the Training Department ensures that all other professional staff members are provided appropriate training in their areas of expertise. The Training Department also plays a significant role in the provision of diversity, management, supervision, employment law, and other training to staff and private assigned counsel.
The Criminal Defense Training Unit works closely with both the Public Defender Division and the Private Counsel Division. The Public Defender Division delivers legal services to adults charged with crimes and following conviction, through fully-resourced staff offices located throughout Massachusetts. The Public Defender Division is dedicated to providing zealous advocacy, community oriented defense, and protecting fundamental constitutional and human rights. Public Defender Division attorneys represent clients at the trial and appellate levels in district, superior, and appellate courts at the state level. The Public Defender Division also provides zealous representation to people unable to afford counsel, who are facing civil commitment as a sexually dangerous person. The Private Counsel Division delivers legal services to indigent clients through assigned private attorneys in criminal defense trial and post-conviction cases as well as in civil commitment and registration trials and appeals for persons convicted of sex offenses. To ensure the delivery of high quality legal services, the Private Counsel Division supervises, trains, advises, and supports private attorneys in these areas as well as provides expertise in trial skills, post-convictions matters, immigration law, forensic evidence, expert witnesses, community resources, and sex offender civil commitment and registration.
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The Mental Health Litigation Division is seeking an attorney for a Staff Counsel position to assist the Trial Panel Director with overseeing the work and training of the Division’s private panel attorneys so that clients receive zealous representation.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
Position Overview
The Staff Counsel assists the Trial Panel Director with overseeing the work and training of the Division’s private panel attorneys so that clients receive zealous representation. The Staff Counsel also participates in, and helps develop the Division’s training, certification, and recertification programs. The Staff Counsel reports directly to the Trial Panel Director of the Mental Health Litigation Division.
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OVERVIEW
CPCS is seeking applications for Deputy Chief Counsel of the Private Counsel Division. The Private Counsel Division delivers legal services to indigent clients through assigned private attorneys in criminal defense trial and post-conviction cases as well as commitment and registration cases for persons convicted of sex offenses. The Deputy Chief Counsel for the Private Counsel Division is a member of the senior management team that develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource and legislative policies.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal services to indigent persons in criminal and civil matters in which the state or federal Constitutions, state statute or case law require the appointment of counsel for any person who cannot afford to retain counsel. The agency provides representation on criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction cases related to those matters.
CPCS is seeking applications for Deputy Chief Counsel of the Private Counsel Division. The Private Counsel Division delivers legal services to indigent clients through assigned private attorneys in criminal defense trial and post-conviction cases as well as commitment and registration cases for persons convicted of sex offenses. Our mission is to provide excellent legal services to each and every client by assuring that all assigned attorneys possess the skills they need through experience or training, meet high standards of performance, and have ready access to mentoring, supervision and continuing legal education. To support this effort CPCS provides assigned private counsel with access to consulting attorneys with expertise in trial skills, post-conviction matters, immigration law, forensic evidence and expert witnesses and sex offender registration. The Private Counsel Division also includes a grant funded Innocence Program.
The Private Counsel Division utilizes the services of over 2000 private assigned counsel statewide to provide legal representation in criminal and civil cases. The Deputy Chief Counsel is responsible for the leadership, support, training and oversight of private bar panels in criminal, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, and in appeals and post-conviction cases related to those matters.
The Deputy Chief Counsel for the Private Counsel Division is a member of the senior management team that develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource and legislative policies.
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The Malden District Court Office is seeking interns to be an integral part of our office and work closely with our team of dedicated attorneys, social service advocates, and investigators.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
Position Overview
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Malden District Court Office defends people accused of misdemeanors and felonies in three District Courts in Middlesex County: the Cambridge District Court, the Malden District Court, and the Somerville District Court. We defend clients against a broad range of charges, including firearm offenses, drug charges, assault charges, theft offenses, and operating under the influence charges. We also advocate for clients in Mental Health Court, Drug Court, and Homeless Court programs.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a Director for its newly created Strategic Litigation Unit. The Strategic Litigation Unit will be responsible for litigation aimed at achieving systemic and institutional reform in all of CPCS’s criminal and civil practice areas. The Strategic Litigation Director will lead those efforts and will work with other attorneys, advocacy organizations, and clients to promote justice for and protect the rights of individuals who are parties in criminal and civil right-to-counsel proceedings.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
POSITION OVERVIEW
As the public defender agency for Massachusetts, CPCS zealously seeks justice for those unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel. This includes representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare/state intervention, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry matters. The Strategic Litigation Director will play an essential leadership role in the agency’s pursuit of systemic and institutional reform on behalf of our clients in in all of these practice areas.
Reporting directly to the Chief Counsel, the Director will regularly meet and consult with the leaders of all CPCS divisions to jointly identify systemic issues affecting a broad range of clients throughout the agency and will be responsible for initiating and prosecuting litigation to address those issues. The Director will supervise a small dedicated staff, as well as attorneys assigned to other CPCS units who work on Strategic Litigation Unit cases.
The Director’s work will involve criminal and civil litigation and administrative advocacy. Litigation will include both trial and appellate advocacy in state and federal court. Depending upon the matter at issue, the Director may serve as lead counsel, co-counsel, consultant, amicus curiae, or provide technical support.
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The Public Defender Division Appeals Unit is seeking interns. The Appeals Unit will typically hire one full-time student intern in the summer, and may hire one or more part-time student interns during the school year. Student interns will assist staff attorneys in researching legal issues and drafting arguments for inclusion in briefs filed in the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
Overview of the Internship
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Committee for Public Counsel Services provides legal representation in Massachusetts for those unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel. This includes representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction matters.
The Appeals Unit provides legal representation and appellate advocacy for its indigent clients in the Massachusetts appellate courts and occasionally in federal court. The cases handled by the Appeals Unit are primarily post-conviction criminal cases, but also include interlocutory appeals (primarily from orders deciding motions to suppress evidence and motions to dismiss criminal charges). Post-conviction appellate cases usually involve clients convicted of serious felonies and sentenced to substantial periods of incarceration but may also include misdemeanor and other district court convictions.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Worcester District & Superior Court Office defends people accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including attempted murder in all 9 courts in the Worcester County: Clinton, Milford, Uxbridge, East Brookfield, Dudley, Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner, Westborough and Worcester. We defend clients against a broad range of charges, including firearm offenses, sexual assaults, drug charges, minor and serious assaults, property offenses and theft offenses. We also advocate for clients in drug court.
Interns are an integral part of our office and work closely with our team of dedicated attorneys, social service advocates and investigators. Students qualified to appear in court under SJC Rule 3:03 will represent clients at arraignments, bail appeals, violation of probation hearings, and pretrial motions, all under the close supervision of experienced attorneys. Out-of-court work includes legal research and writing, case investigation, client meetings, and assisting attorneys with the preparation of trials. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and trials. Students will have the opportunity to produce a writing sample while working in our office. The Worcester Court House contains both District and Superior Courts, which means students are able to observe trials ranging from OUI’s to murder.
Our office is committed to helping to prepare interns to be excellent public defenders. In essence, we treat our interns as new attorneys, and they are provided with their own caseload ranging from 6-12 clients. They will research and write on potentially serious issues and assist more senior attorneys in preparation for trials, motions to suppress, motions to dismiss and more. We offer a weekly “case crunch” for office attorneys and interns alike. This is an opportunity for those with questions about how to tackle a case to present such questions to a group of attorneys within the office. Interns are also welcome to attend all office trainings and brainstorm sessions. You will not just be a briefcase-carrying, copying intern in the Worcester office!
Our office is easily accessible via public transportation, so students are not required to have access to a car; however, it is recommended to have one to be able to get to the jail and outlying district courts.
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The Public Defender Division, Boston District Court Office is seeking interns for the 2019 Spring and Summer semesters. All students who will have completed their first year of law school by the start of their internship are eligible to apply. Students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class, with the written approval by their Dean, may represent clients under the supervision of a staff public defender in court per SJC Rule 3:03. However, students who will not be eligible for 3:03 certification are also encouraged to apply.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
Position Overview:
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Boston District & Municipal Court Office defends people accused of misdemeanors and felonies in six courts in the Boston area: the South Boston, East Boston, Brighton, Charlestown and Central Divisions of the Boston Municipal Court, as well as the Chelsea District Court. We defend clients against a broad range of charges, including firearm offenses, drug charges, assaults and theft offenses. We also advocate for clients in mental health court, veteran’s court, drug court and homeless court programs.
Students are an integral part of our office and work closely with our team of dedicated attorneys, social service advocates and investigators. Students qualified to appear in court under SJC Rule 3:03 will represent clients at arraignments, bail appeals, and pretrial motions, all under the close supervision of experienced attorneys. Out-of-court work includes legal research and writing, case investigation, client meetings, and assisting attorneys with the preparation of trials. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and trials.
Our office is committed to helping to prepare students to be excellent public defenders. All students begin their internship by participating in an intensive two day training focused on client advocacy skills and Massachusetts criminal practice. During the summer, our office hosts a weekly brown bag lunch series for interns. Interns are also welcome to attend all office trainings and brainstorm sessions.
Our office and all of our courts are easily accessible via public transportation, so students are not required to have access to a car.
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The Children and Family Law Division is looking to add to their expert vendor list. In many cases our private bar attorneys hire clinicians to work as part of their client’s legal team. Clinicians can provide essential professional services that can improve our client’s chances of successful litigation.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is a government agency providing representation to indigent clients in criminal cases, civil cases and administrative proceedings in which there is a right to counsel. The Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division Cape and Islands Office has on going openings for Spring and Summer term student interns to assist staff attorneys who practice in Barnstable County/Plymouth Town Juvenile and Barnstable Probate Courts. CAFL provides zealous and creative advocacy for children and parents in child welfare proceedings, including termination of parental rights cases, Guardianship and Child Requiring Assistance proceedings.
Interns who are certified student attorneys under S.J.C. Rule 3.03 will have an opportunity to carry a small caseload of Child Requiring Assistance cases under supervision of a staff attorney. Please note that this internship is unpaid.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state Public Defender agency in Massachusetts. We at the Norwood Superior Court Trial office represent adults accused of superior-court only felony offenses in superior court and district courts in Norfolk County (Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Wrentham, Stoughton).
Interns will be supervised by veteran attorneys and will have the opportunity to work on serious felony cases. They may participate in investigations, research complex issues of law, and brainstorm theories of defense. Interns may also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with attorneys, preparing for suppression hearings, and drafting motions to dismiss and other trial motions. Interns may assist attorneys, attend court hearings in Norfolk Superior Court and district courts, and may have the opportunity to visit and interview clients who are imprisoned.
Our office is MBTA-accessible.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the government agency providing representation to low-income clients in criminal cases, civil cases and administrative proceedings in which there is a right to counsel.
The Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division Boston Office seeks 2-3 law student summer interns to assist trial attorneys who practice in Cambridge and Boston, MA. CAFL provides zealous and creative advocacy for children and parents in child welfare proceedings, including termination of parental rights cases and Child Requiring Assistance (status offense) matters. The Boston CAFL Office is located near downtown Boston.
Please note that this internship is unpaid, but Boston CAFL is able to work with students on receiving externship credits or outside summer funding.
Interested candidates should supply:
- Resume
- Cover letter demonstrating skills and experiences relevant to our work
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the government agency that provides representation to indigent clients in criminal cases, civil cases and administrative proceedings in which there is a right to counsel. The Appellate Unit of the Children and Family Law Division (CAFL AU) has ongoing openings for student interns.
CAFL AU provides zealous and creative appellate advocacy for children and parents in state intervention child custody proceedings, including termination of parental rights cases. CAFL AU also assists CAFL trial staff in interlocutory appeals and in addressing systemic issues.
CAFL AU is located in Worcester.
Please note that this internship is unpaid. The start date and weekly hour requirements are flexible, but the internship should comprise at least 17.5 hours/week and a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is expected.
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is a government agency providing representation to indigent clients in criminal cases, civil cases and administrative proceedings in which there is a right to counsel. The Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division Lowell Office has on going openings for summer term student interns to assist staff attorneys. CAFL provides zealous and creative advocacy for children and parents in child welfare proceedings, including termination of parental rights cases and Child Requiring Assistance proceedings.
Interns who are certified student attorneys under S.J.C. Rule 3.03 will have an opportunity to carry a small caseload of Child Requiring Assistance cases under supervision of a staff attorney. Please note that this internship is unpaid.