Attorney in Charge - PDD Hampden County Conflict Advocacy Office

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Springfield, MA

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking an experienced attorney to be the first Attorney in Charge of the new Conflict Advocacy Office in Hampden County. This role involves leading and managing the office, supervising staff, and representing individual clients. CPCS is dedicated to fighting for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals through zealous advocacy and promoting just public policy. The agency provides representation in various legal matters for individuals who cannot afford an attorney, emphasizing cultural competence and respect for diverse client circumstances. The Hampden County Conflict Advocacy Office (CAO) will be located in Springfield and will represent clients in District and Superior Courts, acting as the Conflicts Office for the Public Defender Division when conflicts arise. The CAO will operate as a separate law firm from other CPCS offices for conflict of interest purposes, with its own management, physical offices, and systems.

Requirements

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.
A minimum of seven years of experience handling criminal cases, at least four of which were as assigned counsel for indigent persons in criminal cases.
Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation.
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Nice To Haves

Significant Superior Court or equivalent jury trial experience
Administrative and managerial skills and supervisory experience
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population
A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in criminal cases
Ability and commitment to complete annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work in community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
Foreign language skills, Spanish in particular, are desirable.

Responsibilities

Supervise and assist staff Trial Attorneys to ensure zealous advocacy and effective representation.
Manage the day-to-day functioning of the office, including supervision of staff and Administrative Assistants.
Maintain an active, albeit reduced caseload, providing the same fullness and excellence of representation as any other Trial Attorney.
Balance caseload responsibilities with managerial duties and obligations.
Supervise and assist trial lawyers in the development of trial strategies, motions practice, and other trial tasks.
Supervise and develop non-attorney support staff.
Understand, communicate, and ensure compliance with the agency’s Personnel Policies.
Be thoroughly familiar with the CPCS case management system, including generating and interpreting case statistics and reports.
Ensure attorneys’ schedules and caseloads are reasonable and conform with CPCS guidelines, performance standards, and practice advisories.
Ensure case files are properly maintained and scanned at the conclusion of each case.
Assign all cases promptly.
Ensure that all cases are promptly opened and closed in the agency’s case management system.
Ensure that all cases are promptly checked for conflicts of interest, and when discovered, reassign those cases immediately.
Ensure that detailed running sheets for each case are current and electronically maintained.
Ensure that annual performance evaluations are completed for all staff in a timely and comprehensive manner.
Ensure that information about recent developments in the law, CPCS policies and practices, and other relevant matters are disseminated to staff in a timely manner.
Provide ongoing in-house training to ensure continued excellence by all staff.
Foster positive relationships within the community and courthouses.
Ensure that a professional relationship and leadership role is maintained with the assigned private bar in the county.
Provide zealous and effective representation of the AIC’s own clients consistent with PDD guidelines and performance standards.
Attend regular meetings with other office heads, Managing Directors, and the Deputy Chief Counsel to discuss management and policy issues.