Internship - Fall 2026 - MHLD

Committee for Public Counsel•Salem, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Litigation Division of CPCS is seeking applicants for Fall 2026 internship positions in our Civil Commitment trial offices located in Brockton, Northampton, and Worcester offices and in our Trial Support and Oversight unit located in Boston. We are interested in law students both with and without SJC Rule 3:03 Certification for opportunities with the Mental Health Litigation Division. 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. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The Mental Health Litigation Division provides individuals with attorneys for Civil Commitment proceedings in the District and Superior Courts and provides attorneys for appointment by the Probate and Family Courts to represent persons in Guardianships and Substituted Judgment proceedings, including cases involving Conservatorship, Elder Abuse, the Validation of Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission and Do Not Resuscitate orders. Civil Commitments are handled by both staff and private attorneys, while most cases in the Probate Court are handled by private panel attorneys. In addition to our staff offices in Brockton, Roxbury, Northampton, and Worcester, the MHLD has attorneys in our trial support and oversight office and our training department. All our attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients. The Mental Health Litigation Division offers interns a variety of experiences and assignments under the supervision of highly experienced attorneys.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
Access to reliable transportation or public transportation to travel to courts and hospitals.
Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
Completed their 2L year (for commitment defense offices).
Completed their 1L year (for Trial Panel Support Unit).

Nice To Haves

SJC Rule 3:03 Certification (for Civil Commitment trial offices).

Responsibilities

Assist attorneys with representation of citizens facing involuntary civil commitment to mental health facilities, and involuntary medical treatment for mental illness, including the administration of anti-psychotic medications.
Assist with client calls, reviewing medical records and legal research.
Shadow several attorneys during their internship.
Develop a working understanding of G.L. c. 123 and the requirements for civil commitment, District and Municipal Court commitment proceedings, court-ordered medication proceedings, and the rules of evidence as applied in mental health cases.
Visit clients and conduct interviews to obtain relevant information and ascertain the client’s position on their pending petition(s).
Work with independent medical experts including psychiatrists, psychologists, social service experts, and other mental health professionals as requested by staff attorneys.
Work with attorneys to prepare motions for funds, motions for in person hearings, review medical records, direct examinations, cross-examination of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists and closing arguments.
Develop research on race and equity issues in civil commitments and assist in developing a litigation guide for such issues.
Conduct research into support for novel issues or arguments.
Conduct legal research on systemic and specific issues affecting clients with mental disabilities.
Draft practice materials for attorneys representing clients in mental health matters.
Handle intake line calls from patients and clients in mental health facilities and provide information about their legal status, assignment of counsel or referral.
Assist the MHLD Training Unit attorneys to create and edit training materials, and to develop and maintain Mental Health online training and resource initiatives.