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.

Additionally, the Staff Counsel:
• Provides support and advice to private panel attorneys in mental health proceedings
• Provides legal advice to psychiatric patients confined to facilities
• Assists in development of practice advisories and model forms for use by the Mental Health Litigation trial
panel
• Assists with the administration of the Mental Health Litigation Division’s Regional Coordinator program
• Assists with the administration of the Mental Health Litigation Division’s Mentor program
• Maintain a modest case load of trial cases to the extent agreed upon by the Staff Counsel and the Trial Panel
Director
• Assists in the maintenance and updating of the Mental Health Litigation Division’s publications and web page;
and
• Other duties as assigned

• Applicants must be members in good standing of the Massachusetts bar, or be licensed in another jurisdiction
and eligible to practice in Massachusetts under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
• Minimum of four (4) years of mental health litigation and/or related experience

Qualifications/Skills:

• Able to maintain a professional and supportive relationship with the private bar
• Possess superior communication skills in order to write and edit persuasive legal documents
• Able to represent clients skillfully in court proceedings
• Able to interact effectively with courts, counsel, clients, witnesses, and other participants in the justice system
• Ability to effectively support, advise, and provide feedback to private panel attorneys
• Ability to effectively work independently and as part of a team
• Appellate experience
• Experience in training
• A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in
criminal cases
• Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population and a substantive understanding of
the implicit biases impacting our clients
• Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to courts, mental health facilities, and other locations as
required
• Foreign language skills are desirable

Preference will be given to attorneys who are currently certified to accept CPCS mental health assignments.

Interested candidates should submit a written statement of interest, resume, writing sample, and the names of at least two (2) professional references.

The position will be posted until filled, however preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to September 11, 2018.

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 Director of Human Resources Management, Lisa Bacon, at lbacon@publiccounsel.net.

• Resume
• Cover Letter