The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is accepting applications for the 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 is a member of the Senior Management Team that develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource and legislative policies.   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 legal counsel 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 Private Counsel Division delivers legal services to indigent clients through assigned private attorneys in criminal defense trial, post-conviction, and parole cases as well as in civil commitment trials, registration administrative hearings, and appeals from those legal proceedings.  Our mission is to provide excellent legal services to each and every client by ensuring 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.   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.   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.   POSITION OVERVIEW   CPCS is seeking a new Deputy Chief Counsel of the Private Counsel Division who has the talent, vision, and perseverance to lead panels of dedicated, experienced, and skilled groups of defenders and social workers, as well as administrative personnel in achieving an ever-improving quality of advocacy, deeper engagement with clients and their communities, and steadily improving outcomes for clients.    The Deputy Chief Counsel will oversee all aspects of the Private Counsel Division, including the selection, certification, and training of panel attorneys as well as provide oversight to the bar advocate programs. The Deputy Chief Counsel will directly oversee the management team of the Private Counsel Division, including the Directors of Criminal Trials, Criminal Appeals, Alternative Commitment Support Registration Unit, Parole Advocacy, Immigration Impact, Innocence Program, and Private Social Work.   The Deputy Chief Counsel of the Private Counsel Division reports to the Chief Counsel and is a member of CPCS Senior Leadership, which develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource, and legislative policies.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Salem Public Defender Division currently has openings for 2024 Fall semester interns.     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   We offer law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments, supervised by veteran attorneys, as well as valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. This unit will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.

The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Appeals Unit of CPCS is seeking applicants for Fall 2024 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 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      CAFL’s Appellate Unit provides zealous advocacy for children and parents seeking relief from interlocutory and final orders in state intervention child custody proceedings. The unit also develops and assists in the implementation of novel approaches to persistent and emerging systemic issues. 

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Springfield Trial Court Office is currently seeking students for our Fall 2024 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   We offer law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments, supervised by veteran attorneys, as well as valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. This unit will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Worcester PDD Trial Office is currently seeking students for our Fall 2024 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   We offer law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments, supervised by veteran attorneys, as well as valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. This unit will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Lawrence PDD office is currently seeking students for our Fall 2024 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   We offer law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments, supervised by veteran attorneys, as well as valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. This unit will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.

The Special Projects Unit is currently seeking law students for Fall 2024 internship positions. Interns must be enrolled in law school. To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample no later than April 30, 2024. In their cover letters, candidates are encouraged to share any of the lived or professional experiences that draw you towards public defense. We are considering applications on a rolling basis, so we strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed applications as soon as practically possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tricia Muse at pmuse@publiccounsel.net     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 each member of the CPCS community.   AGENCY OVERVIEW   The Committee for Public Counsel Services (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, child welfare, 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.     POSITION OVERVIEW   The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is Massachusetts’ state-wide public defender organization. The Special Projects Unit (SPU) is part of the Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit. This unit assigns cases to criminal post-conviction clients when there have been developments in the law that have a widespread impact on CPCS post-conviction clients and may provide grounds for undoing a conviction, notifies clients and attorneys about these developments and, in some cases, litigates these issues. For more information, please see our webpage at https://www.publiccounsel.net/pc/criminal-post-conviction-and-appeals-unit/   Interns assist the SPU on post-conviction case investigation by reviewing case files and court dockets. They research state and federal constitutional issues relating to current post-conviction litigation. During the Fall 2024 semester interns will also assist in the preparation for an evidentiary hearing by searching and organizing discovery and strategizing about its use at an anticipated hearing. Interns also participate in the preparation of arguments to be presented to the appellate courts (moot) and attend court hearings. They may also field questions from attorneys and others regarding Special Project litigation. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and appellate arguments as well as hearings in the trial court.   Our office is committed to helping to prepare students to be excellent public defenders. All students begin their internship by participating in a training focused on the Massachusetts criminal court system and appellate practice.   Our office is easily accessible via public transportation, so students are not required to have access to a car. 

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a Social Services Advocate for the Mental Health Litigation Division Brockton Trial Office. Social Services Advocates work with staff Trial Attorneys to defend against civil commitment and involuntary treatment, as well as related cases involving MHLD clients, in accordance with expressed client wishes and preferences.   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 Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) provides leadership, training, support, and oversight for four staffed trial offices, trial and support unit, training unit, an appellate unit, and a panel of private trial and appellate attorneys.  The Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of persons facing civil commitment to public and private psychiatric facilities, the involuntary administration of extraordinary medical treatment, including anti-psychotic medications, and the appointment of a guardian.  We are dedicated to zealous advocacy and a client centered model.   OFFICE OVERVIEW   Brockton is the seventh largest city in Massachusetts and is sometimes referred to as the "City of Champions," due to the success of native boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler as well as its successful Brockton High School sports programs.  Brockton also hosts its own amateur baseball team, the Brockton Rox.  The Brockton Office is located in downtown Brockton adjacent to the Plymouth County Judicial Complex.  Brockton is a diverse community which includes a large Cape Verdean population.   POSITION OVERVIEW   MHLD is seeking to fill a full-time Social Services Advocate (SSA) position for the Brockton Commitment Unit, serving Bridgewater State Hospital and several other facilities in the area. Bridgewater State Hospital is a civil commitment institution that incarcerates people who are involved in the criminal legal system. All clients at Bridgewater State Hospital also have previous criminal charges with a range of severity. The SSA uses the Brockton office as their primary office location but is responsible for cases in any of the hospitals and courts assigned to that office.   Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services Advocacy, the SSA works with staff Trial Attorneys to defend against civil commitment and involuntary treatment, as well as related cases involving MHLD clients, in accordance with expressed client wishes and preferences. The SSA is an integral member of the legal team and works with the client in the context of attorney-client confidentiality and privilege. The SSA plays a critical role in identifying the social, medical, psychological, and rehabilitative issues that preceded the client’s court involvement. The SSA promotes community integration under the least restrictive setting principle, by providing recovery-oriented, holistic assessment, care coordination, and advocacy for clients within court, educational, rehabilitative, mental health and social service systems. The SSA will be expected to utilize a client-directed, strengths-based, non-judgmental approach to direct client work.   Due to the nature of the work, there is often a requirement to meet with clients on short notice; therefore, there is an expectation that the SSA is flexible with their schedule. 

The Public Defender Division of Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking an Investigator for the Roxbury Defenders Unit.  Investigators conduct criminal defense investigations and aid in trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys in Municipal  and Superior Court cases in Suffolk County.  Investigators are key members of the defense team who assist in developing defense strategies for indigent persons charged with criminal offenses by interviewing witnesses, documenting crime scenes, and later testifying in court.   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.   OFFICE OVERVIEW   The Roxbury Defenders’ Office, formerly known as the Roxbury Defenders’ Committee, was founded in 1971 by a group of African American attorneys (including Roderick Ireland who later became Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court).  Its mission was to provide legal services to Roxbury residents who were not adequately represented. The Office has been staffed over the years by many attorneys who have achieved prominence as trial lawyers, judges, elected officials, and community leaders. The office is located at 10 Malcom X Boulevard in the heart of Roxbury. The Office continues to provide excellent and zealous representation to the greater Roxbury Community, representing clients in the Suffolk Superior Court, and Roxbury, Dorchester, and West Roxbury Divisions of the Boston Municipal Court. From its inception the Office has been integrally involved in the local community; members of the Office participate in various local activities and organizations to improve the welfare of its clients and the people in the area.  The Office continues to strongly believe in community engagement and partnership to assist clients as they navigate the criminal legal system.    POSITION OVERVIEW   Public Defender Investigators are key members of the defense team and are responsible for conducting criminal defense investigations and trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys as well as assisting in developing defense strategy for indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in the Municipal and Superior courts in Suffolk County.  Key responsibilities of Investigators are locating and interviewing persons, obtaining facts, inspecting records, writing reports, documenting crime scenes, searching databases and social media, summonsing witnesses to court, shepherding witnesses through the trial court process, and testifying in court.    Investigators work under the direction of the Attorney-in-Charge, the Director of Investigations, and the Supervising Investigator and work collaboratively with other staff investigators, Attorneys-in-Charge, and CPCS Administration.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a dynamic experienced leader to serve as Deputy Chief Counsel of the Children and Family Law Division.   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 Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) of CPCS provides children, young adults, and indigent parents zealous legal representation in a range of civil matters involving families. These include child neglect and abuse cases (referred to in Massachusetts as care and protection or C&P cases); termination of parental rights cases; status offense (child requiring assistance) matters, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and proceedings for certain minors to obtain judicial consent for an abortion. We provide this representation through a diverse community of public defenders. Our multidisciplinary legal teams defend families against unwarranted governmental interference and protect the constitutional and statutory rights of children, young adults, and parents. CAFL provides leadership, training, and support to staff members and private attorneys throughout Massachusetts.   CAFL staff represent clients in 13 multidisciplinary litigation offices, two of which are part of the division’s new Family Justice Advocates firm, which handles conflicts matters. The other 11 are part of CPCS’s larger “Public Division” firm (which includes public defenders advocating for clients in other right-to-counsel matters). Most of CAFL’s work is handled by about 900 private attorneys whom CPCS trains and certifies as eligible to accept assignments and who are supported and overseen by our trial and appellate panel support units. Both private attorneys and staff are also supported by the CAFL Training Unit, which is part of CPCS’s Training Department.   CAFL’s client-directed legal advocacy plays a critical role in cases involving families. Whether private or staff, CAFL attorneys protect the rights of parents and children to remain together whenever possible and their right to be reunited quickly when children are removed from their homes. Our legal teams provide clients a voice and work to ensure that the Department of Children and Families and other agencies provide children, young adults, and parents the support and services they need and to which they are entitled under the law. For a parent involved in a C&P case, having a skilled CAFL attorney may mean the difference between the family’s reunification and the termination of parental rights. For a teenager who is the subject of a truancy 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 or in congregate care. For siblings who are at risk of being separated, CAFL’s legal team will fight to ensure that they can stay together.   POSITION OVERVIEW   CPCS is seeking a new Deputy Chief Counsel who has the talent, vision, and perseverance to lead a dedicated, experienced, and skilled group of attorneys, social workers, administrative professionals, and peer advocates in providing ever-improving, high-quality advocacy to clients and engaging with client communities. The Deputy Chief Counsel will also lead the development and advancement of the division’s policy priorities to transform the racism-laden family regulation system – one that regularly traumatizes children, families, and whole communities – into a system that provide supports and services to help them thrive.   The Deputy Chief Counsel provides direct supervision to three Managing Directors (overseeing the staff litigation offices), the Directors of CAFL’s trial and appellate panels, the Director of Social Work, the Director of Private Social Work Services, and an Administrative Assistant. The CAFL Training Director, to whom the Deputy Chief Counsel provides significant substantive direction, and CPCS’s Director of Education Advocacy, whom the Deputy Chief Counsel works with to ensure that CAFL clients’ education needs are met, are also part of the CAFL leadership team.   The CAFL Deputy Chief Counsel reports to the Chief Counsel and is a member of the CPCS Senior Management Team, which develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource, IT, and legislative policies. 

The Public Defender Division Boston Office, covering Boston Municipal Court’s Central, East Boston, Chelsea District Court, and the Suffolk Superior Court, is seeking an Investigator to conduct criminal defense investigations and aid in trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys in Municipal, District, and Superior Court cases.  Investigators are key members of the defense team who assist in developing defense strategies for indigent persons charged with criminal offenses by interviewing witnesses, documenting crime scenes, and testifying in court.   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, child welfare, 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.   OFFICE OVERVIEW   The Public Defender Division Boston Office provides public defense services for Suffolk County.  The Boston Trial Unit is conveniently located in the downtown area of Boston.  It is accessible by MBTA subway and buses, Amtrak Commuter Rail, and ferry services.  The Boston Trial Unit shares space with CPCS Administration, and other divisions and units on two floors of a modernized office building.  Other amenities include restaurants, retail businesses, and historic landmarks.   POSITION OVERVIEW   The Public Defender Division is seeking an Investigator to work in our Boston Office.  Public Defender Division Investigators are key members of the defense team and are responsible for conducting criminal defense investigations and trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys as well as assisting in developing defense strategy for indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in Municipal, District, and Superior courts in Suffolk County. Key responsibilities of Investigators are locating and interviewing persons, obtaining facts, inspecting records, writing reports, documenting crime scenes, searching databases and social media, summonsing witnesses to court, shepherding witnesses through the trial court process, and testifying in court.    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.   Staff Investigators work under the direction of the Attorney-in-Charge, the Chief Investigator, and the Regional Supervising Investigator and work collaboratively with other staff investigators, Attorneys-in-Charge, and CPCS Administration.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a family regulation/child welfare attorney with management experience to serve as Managing Director for its Family Justice Advocates (FJA) law firm, which currently consists of two multidisciplinary conflicts offices within its Children and Family Law Division (CAFL). In addition to leading, supporting, and overseeing those offices, the Managing Director will be responsible for creating, leading, supporting, and overseeing one or more specialized units, including a team focusing on the representation of transition age youth. The Managing Director will also be part of CAFL’s leadership team.   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 Children and Family Law Division provides children, young adults, and indigent parents zealous legal representation in a range of civil matters involving families. These include care and protection (child neglect and abuse cases) cases; termination of parental rights cases; child requiring assistance matters, and guardianship-of-a-minor cases. Our multidisciplinary legal teams defend families against unwarranted governmental interference and protect the constitutional and statutory rights of their clients. CAFL provides leadership, training, and support to staff members and private attorneys throughout Massachusetts.   CAFL staff represent clients in 13 multidisciplinary litigation offices, 11 of which are part of CPCS’s main “Public Division” firm (which includes public defenders representing clients in other right-to-counsel matters). Two offices – one in Springfield and one in Worcester – are part of CAFL’s new FJA law firm, which handles assignments which the Public Division firm cannot because of conflicts. Most of CAFL’s work is handled by about 900 private attorneys whom CPCS trains and certifies as eligible to accept assignments and who are supported and overseen by our trial and appellate panel support units. Both private attorneys and staff are also supported by the CAFL Training Unit, which is part of CPCS’s Training Department. CAFL’s client-directed legal advocacy plays a critical role in cases involving families. CAFL staff and private attorneys protect the rights of parents and children to remain together whenever possible and their right to be reunited quickly when children are removed from their homes. Our legal teams provide clients a voice and work to ensure that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other agencies provide children, young adults, and parents the support and services they need and to which they are entitled under the law. For a parent involved in a C&P case, having a skilled CAFL attorney may mean the difference between the family’s reunification and the termination of parental rights. For a teenager who is the subject of a truancy 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 or in congregate care. For siblings who are at risk of being separated, CAFL’s legal team will fight to ensure that they can stay together.    POSITION OVERVIEW   The Managing Director is responsible for ensuring that FJA staff provide high-quality, client-centered, culturally humble representation to child, young adult, and parent clients in CAFL cases. The Managing Director achieves this by overseeing FJA’s two multidisciplinary litigation offices and providing direct supervision and support to the Attorneys in Charge (AICs) for each of those offices. The Managing Director may also oversee, supervise, and support a limited number of other FJA offices in the future if such offices are needed.   In addition, the Managing Director will be responsible for creating, leading, supporting, and overseeing one or more specialized units, including a Transition Age Youth unit. The Transition Age Youth unit will provide leadership, training, and technical support to attorneys representing older youth and young adult clients who are aging out of DCF foster care or who are under the responsibility of DCF (or considering that option) after turning 18. The unit may also directly represent a limited number of young adult clients. In collaboration with the Deputy Chief Counsel and other CAFL leaders, the Managing Director will advise the Chief Counsel regarding where the unit will be located, its size and staffing, and its core functions.   As a member of the CAFL leadership team, the Managing Director collaborates with CAFL’s Deputy Chief Counsel, two other Managing Directors, and other CAFL Directors to promote the division’s policy and program goals. The Managing Director also works with CPCS’s other legal practice divisions and CPCS’s legal support and operational units (Training, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, and General Counsel). The Managing Director reports directly to CAFL’s Deputy Chief Counsel.