Appeals Attorney - PDD Appeals Unit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking two full-time attorneys for its Appeals Unit in Boston. The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and zealous advocacy to the indigent community. 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. The state-wide Public Defender Division (“PDD”) Appeals Unit is centrally located in downtown Boston, within walking distance of the John Adams Courthouse, where both the Supreme Judicial Court and Massachusetts Appeals Court hear cases. The Unit is a close-knit office with a strong culture of collegiality and collaboration. The Unit prides itself on providing excellent, client-centered representation and strives to advance the law for the benefit of defendants around the state. Currently, attorneys in the Appeals Unit work remotely on Mondays and Tuesdays and are expected to be in the office from Wednesday to Friday. However, that schedule is subject to change and candidates should be prepared to be flexible. The Public Defender Division is seeking two Appeals Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation at the appellate level. The Appeals Unit provides legal representation and appellate advocacy for indigent adult clients in the Massachusetts appellate courts, and occasionally in federal court or state trial courts. The cases handled by the Appeals Unit are primarily direct appeals in criminal cases (from misdemeanors to serious felonies), but also include motions for new trials, interlocutory appeals, and amicus briefs in selected cases. In addition, the Unit provides training and assistance to trial attorneys around the state, and often assists the agency with system-wide issues and challenges.

Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to practice law in this jurisdiction as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an attorney in another jurisdiction who is eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04;
Candidates must have at least one year as an attorney in a related field;
Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations across the Commonwealth; and,
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
Candidates must also be able to work in a defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively, and be committed to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population. Candidates must possess very strong writing and oral advocacy skills.
To apply, candidates must submit a resume, letter of interest which includes a description of prior appellate experience, and a writing sample which has not been substantially edited by anyone other than the applicant.

Responsibilities

Interviewing clients;
Conducting legal research;
Collecting and reviewing documentary evidence;
Writing briefs, reply briefs, motions for reconsideration, applications for direct and further appellate review and motions for new trial;
Arguing before the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court, including preparation via moot arguments, and assisting other attorneys with their moot arguments;
Litigating motions for new trial in district, municipal, and superior courts around the Commonwealth;
Conducting post-conviction investigation, including visiting crime scenes and locating and interviewing witnesses, when needed;
Providing formal and informal assistance to Public Defender Division trial attorneys on trial court level cases;
Providing training to Public Defender Division and Private Counsel Division staff attorneys;
Depending on experience level, may include editing and mentoring of other Appeals Unit Attorneys and, on occasion, of Public Defender Division trial attorneys who are representing clients on appeal;
Drafting or assisting in the drafting of amicus briefs;
Assisting the agency in work on special projects involving systemic legal issues with broad impact;
Participating in brainstorming sessions on Appeals Unit cases with the other members of the Unit;
Keeping up with new opinions on criminal law and procedure issued by the Supreme Judicial Court, Massachusetts Appeals Court, and United States Supreme Court; and,
Other duties as assigned.