The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a full-time Appeals Attorney for its Mental Health Litigation Division Appeals Unit. The position may be located in any CPCS office depending on the needs of the selected candidate, the Appeals Unit, and the availability of office space. The position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
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 cases handled by the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) include involuntary civil commitments, forced treatment and guardianships. Appeals Unit cases are primarily direct appeals in commitment and guardianship cases, but may also include motions for new trials, interlocutory appeals, and amicus briefs in selected cases. The Appeals Unit also provides consultation to staff and private panel attorneys around the state, and often assists the agency with system-wide issues and challenges.
The Appeals Unit currently consists of a Director of Mental Health Appeals, an Oversight Counsel, and two case handling Appeals Attorneys. The Appeals Unit provides support and oversight of MHLD Appeals Panel Attorneys as well as directly representing clients in MHLD appeals.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The MHLD is seeking a full-time Appeals Attorney to provide direct representation of mental health clients at the appellate level. Appeals Unit cases are primarily direct appeals in commitment and guardianship cases, but may also include motions for new trials, interlocutory appeals, and amicus briefs in selected cases.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of a Mental Health Litigation Division Appeals Unit Attorney include but are not limited to, the following:
- Interviewing clients;
- Conducting legal research;
- Collecting and reviewing documentary evidence;
- Preparing appellants’ and occasionally appellees’ briefs, as well as reply briefs;
- Handling appeals in the Appellate Division, Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court, including preparation for oral arguments via moot courts;
- Assisting other attorneys preparing for argument;
- Providing assistance to trial attorneys on issues related to appeals;
- Preparing case summaries of new mental health opinions;
- Assisting in training and development of practice aids for trial and appellate attorneys;
- Depending on experience level, may on occasion include editing assistance/mentoring of Mental Health Litigation Division staff Trial Attorneys who are representing clients on appeal;
- Drafting of amicus briefs; and,
- Other duties as assigned.
EEO Statement
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.