2027 Children and Family Law Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions

Committee for Public Counsel Services•All Locations, MA

6d•Remote

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts' public defender agency, is hiring attorneys to represent children and parents in family regulation cases. CPCS provides legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) specifically handles cases involving children and indigent parents in matters such as care and protection proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, termination of parental rights actions, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is involved or considering custody. CPCS is committed to equal justice and human dignity, supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals through zealous advocacy and promoting just public policy. The agency values courage, accountability, respect, and excellence, and is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. CPCS provides representation in a wide range of legal areas, including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, and guardianship cases. The agency emphasizes the importance of cultural competence among its staff due to the diverse backgrounds of its clients. CAFL's advocacy is crucial in family cases, potentially influencing outcomes like family reunification versus termination of parental rights, securing educational services for teenagers, or ensuring stable permanent homes for children. New Trial Attorneys receive comprehensive, skills-based training, with ongoing continuing legal education for all attorneys to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills. Positions will be filled as FY27 & FY28 budgets allow, with an expected start date in early September 2027. This posting does not guarantee that Trial Attorney positions will be filled.

Requirements

Committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population
Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction who is covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
All Trial Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in family regulation cases
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively

Nice To Haves

Foreign language skills are desirable
Trial experience in termination of parental rights cases as counsel for a parent and/or as counsel for a child or children is preferred

Responsibilities

Interviewing adult clients
Visiting and interviewing child clients
Conducting legal research and writing
Conducting pre-72-hour hearing investigation including reviewing pleadings and exhibits, locating and interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses, gathering facts from the Department of Child Families social worker and other collateral providers, consulting with other parties' counsel regarding their position, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence, identifying objections to testimonial and documentary evidence, and drafting appropriate motions
Obtaining entire DCF file, reviewing DCF action plans, proposing plan changes, advising client on whether to sign, meeting with court investigator, preparing client to meet with court investigator, and preparing motions to strike inadmissible evidence contained in the court investigator report
Preparing necessary motions regarding outstanding discovery, identifying matters requiring further hearing (e.g., services, DCF reasonable efforts, visitation), preparing pre-trial memo, and developing trial strategy with client
Preparing for Foster Care Reviews
Reviewing DCF's permanency plans and filing objections, if necessary
Investigating and representing client's position in extraordinary medical treatment hearings
Filing motions challenging DCF decisions
Conducting care and protection trials and termination of parental rights trials
Representing clients in interlocutory proceedings
Working with the legal team, including social workers, parent advocates, paralegals, and investigators
Conducting post-judgment representation
Other duties as assigned