Legal Training Attorney - Criminal Defense Training Unit

State of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

38d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Training Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking attorneys with experience in criminal defense law for a Legal Training Attorney position in the Criminal Defense Practice Area. The Training Department is located in Boston but the office location for this position is negotiable and may be sited in any available CPCS office, depending on the needs of the candidate, Training Department, and available space. 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 Training Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is accepting applications for a Legal Training Attorney position in the Criminal Defense Practice Area. Criminal Defense Legal Training Attorneys in the Training Department work collaboratively to educate, train, enable, empower, and support criminal defense attorneys so they may provide excellent representation and client-centered advocacy to the Agency's clients. The Criminal Defense Legal Training Attorneys serve Public Defender Division staff and private lawyers accepting appointments through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS. Travel throughout the state for training is required. A remote work schedule is available when there is no conflict with on-going training. The Training Department is located in Boston but the office location for this position is negotiable and may be sited in any available CPCS office, depending on the needs of the candidate, Training Department, and available space. The Legal Training Attorney reports to the Criminal Defense Training Director.

Requirements

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
Have a minimum of 3 years full-time experience representing indigent defendants in criminal matters (4 years preferred)
Access to an automobile in order to travel to offices, courts, and training locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation
Access to home internet access, sufficient to work remotely, and proficiency using zoom and/or other online platforms.

Nice To Haves

Jury trials and significant motions filed and litigated
Experience as a presenter or coach at training events (CPCS, MCLE or other programs) or at in-house office training sessions
Cultural sensitivity/competence in diversity and equity training, course work, and other relevant experience
Participation in internal or external trainings
Appellate work such as post-conviction representation, interlocutory appeals, petitions for extraordinary relief, and/or petitions for stay of execution of sentence
Four or more years in Juvenile, District and or Superior Court, and if applicable, trial courts in other jurisdictions, as a criminal defense lawyer
Significant work with expert witnesses and/or forensic evidence issues
Work in specialty courts
Author of writings or publications
Computer skills, web design, digital media or other technology related skills
Management, supervision and mentoring

Responsibilities

Developing, planning, organizing, and coaching all CPCS core curriculum and specialized training events. This includes the development and maintenance of CPCS criminal defense online training such as creating and editing video lectures, adapting group exercises to an online format, and developing other online resources initiatives
Working collaboratively with Bar Advocate Programs and staff offices to deliver training and support for other training initiatives
Designing, revising, and delivering training workshops for staff and Bar Advocates
Supporting training initiatives and events for investigators and social service advocates, and assisting with training projects for support staff, supervisors, and management/leadership training events
Updating trainings to ensure accessibility and consistency with anti-oppression and anti-oppression values
Writing and editing training materials
Writing and editing summaries of recent and significant criminal defense decisions (MA and Federal) and practice advisories for distribution to criminal defense practitioners
Monitoring and responding to inquiries in connection with Group IO listservs (PDD, Private Bar and Murder List)
Assisting with the development and updating of all criminal defense materials on MyGideon
Collaborating cross-divisionally to provide exceptional and current trainings that support the zealous representation of clients across CPCS
May maintain a small criminal caseload
Other duties as assigned.