Attorney in Charge - PDD Hampden County Conflict Advocacy Office

Committee for Public Counsel•Springfield, MA

16d•$112,110 - $164,639•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 attorneys and administrative assistants, and representing individual clients with a reduced caseload. The office will represent clients in District and Superior Courts and act 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 managerial system and physical offices. The Attorney-in-Charge is expected to ensure zealous advocacy and effective representation for all clients, manage the day-to-day functioning of the office, and maintain an active caseload while balancing managerial duties.

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Foreign language skills, Spanish in particular, are desirable.

Responsibilities

Supervise and assist staff Trial Attorneys in the development of trial strategies, motions practice, and other 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 the ability to generate and interpret case statistics and reports.
Ensure that 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.
Disseminate information about recent developments in the law, CPCS policies and practices, and other relevant matters 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, and 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.